Disordered eating: a defense against psychosis?
The authors present four cases suffering with either bulimia nervosa or anorexia nervosa in conjunction with a psychotic illness. In all cases there appeared to be a reciprocal relationship between the eating disorder and psychosis such that improvement in eating precipitated or exacerbated the psychotic symptoms. We suggest that disordered eating serves as a defense against psychosis. Difficulties in treating such patients are discussed.
Hugo
P J
PJ
St. George's Hospital Medical School, Department of General Psychiatry, London, United Kingdom.
Lacey
J H
JH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D002032:Bulimia / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications