ADOLESCENTS ANOREXIA NERVOSA AND BULIMIA

ADOLESCENTS ANOREXIA NERVOSA AND BULIMIA

In a pursuit for “slimness” and “weight loss”, many adolescents (by and large, girls), impose foolish dietetic restrictions on themselves (anorexia nervosa of “restrictor” type) or eat in binges and then get rid of the food intake by self-inducing vomiting or using cathartics (bulimia). As a result, they become grossly malnourished with disturbances relate to almost all organ systems, i.e. electrolyte disturbances, postural hypotension, cardiac arrhythmias, CCF, hypothermia, amenorrhea, constipation, dry skin with lanugo hair, peripheral edema, rise in BUN, bone marrow hypoplasia, etc. Interestingly, the subjects are notably resistant to infection.

The exact etiology is unclear though it is generally believed to be a psychiatric eating disorder. The patient have such characteristics as developmental immaturity, isolation and excessive dependence. The family background is overprotective.

Management revolves around psychotherapy(including pharmacotherapy with antidepressant agents), behavior modification and nutritional rehabilitation.