title: Characteristics and treatment of patients with chronic eating disorders.
abstract: This article presents the results of a study of 41 patients with an eating disorder (ED) for ten years or longer. Their mean age was 34 years, the mean duration of their ED was 15.2 years, and their mean lowest BMI was 14.8. We describe the characteristics of their ED, weight history and BMI, the reasons for the onset of their ED, the physical and psychological complaints and social problems, the process of diagnosing their ED, the treatment history, and the patients' evaluation of their treatments. Finally, we will describe whether the patient recovered. The article ends with a discussion about possibly improving their treatment and quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Psychology, Leiden University, The Netherlands. noordenbos@fsw.leidenuniv.nl
authors.forename: Greta
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Noordenbos
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Oldenhave
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Muschter
authors.forename: Nynke
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Terpstra