Anorexia nervosa in an elderly woman.
OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate a case of anorexia nervosa in the elderly and to highlight the need for broadening of current diagnostic criteria.


METHODS
First onset of anorexia nervosa in a 72-year-old woman following bereavement of her husband.


METHODS
Nine treatments of electroconvulsive therapy.


RESULTS
Treatment resulted in remission of the depressive symptoms and improvement of eating behaviour.


CONCLUSIONS
Anorexia nervosa does occur in the elderly and can be difficult to detect. Where comorbid depression exists it requires aggressive treatment.
Hill
R
R
Auckland School of Medicine, Auckland, New Zealand.
Haslett
C
C
Kumar
S
S
D000368:Aged; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D001601:Bereavement; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016896:Treatment Outcome