[Self-harm and eating disorders].
BACKGROUND
The aim of this article is to give an overview over the associations between self-harm and eating disorders, and to present theoretical models to interpret such associations. Common phenomenological characteristics between these conditions are emphasized.


METHODS
The article is based on a non-systematic literature search of Medline, PsychInfo and EMBASE (1985 - 2008) and the authors' own archive.


RESULTS
Empirical studies confirm a strong association between self-harm and eating disorders. Reported prevalence of self-harm among patients with eating disorders vary between 13 and 68 %. A higher prevalence has been reported for patients with bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa binge-type than among patients with anorexia nervosa restrictive type. Possible common factors are impulsivity, obsessive-compulsive traits, dissociation, negative self-evaluation, trauma, high conflict level in the family environment and sensitivity for cultural trends.


CONCLUSIONS
Self-harm and eating disorder represent disturbed regulation of affects, and both practices can be interpreted as attempts of active coping.
Avdeling for helse- og sosialfag, Høgskolen i Lillehammer, 2626 Lillehammer. finns@online.no
Finn
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Skårderud
Bente
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Sommerfeldt
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D052018:Bulimia Nervosa / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D004644:Emotions; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008960:Models, Psychological; D012307:Risk Factors; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D055815:Young Adult