Illustrative Case
A 17-year-old high school senior began dieting to improve her appearance. Although her family initially encouraged her, the parents became alarmed as her weight dropped precipitously and she became cachectic.…

Differential Diagnosis
Anorexia nervosa must be distinguished from weight loss caused by medical illnesses such as ne-oplasms, tuberculosis, hypothalamic disease, and primary endocrinopathies (anterior pituitary insufficiency, Addison’s disease, hyperthyroidism, and diabetes mellitus).…

Prognosis
There is marked variability in the prognosis for patients with anorexia nervosa. About 40% are completely recovered at follow-up and 30% are improved, but 20% remain unimproved or severely impaired. The mortality…

Natural History
The onset of anorexia nervosa often follows new life situations in which the patient feels inadequate or unable to cope. Such changes may be biological, such as the onset of…

Medical Complications
A weight loss of at least 15% of the baseline or ideal body weight is necessary to establish the diagnosis of anorexia nervosa. In addition to weight loss, a number…

Psychiatric Comorbidity
Two-thirds of patients with anorexia nervosa and three-fourths of patients who meet diagnostic criteria for both anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are also diagnosed with at least one mood disorder…