Obsessive compulsive disorder as a cause of atypical eating disorder: a case report.
OBJECTIVE
To describe a case of an atypical eating disorder with a diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder and discuss the phenomenological and neurobiological aspects links between the disorders.


METHODS
a 20-year-old Caucasian woman presented with obsessive-compulsive disorder followed by altered eating habits with major weight loss and amenorrhea. The medical workup, treatment and outcome are described. Using cognitive-behavioural therapy, clomipramine and enteral nutrition, weight gain and disappearance of restrictive and obsessive-compulsive behaviours were obtained.


CONCLUSIONS
Available evidence in the literature suggests a continuum in eating disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder. Our case illustrates that an obsessive-compulsive disorder may precede or precipitate the development of an eating disorder and highlights the importance of a precise differential diagnosis in eating disorders clinics.
Nutrition Unit, Biomedical Research Institute EA 4311, Rouen University Hospital, France. frederico.garcia@chu-rouen.fr
Frederico Duarte
FD
Garcia
Emmanuelle
E
Houy-Durand
Florence
F
Thibaut
Pierre
P
Dechelotte
D000328:Adult; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002997:Clomipramine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D015897:Comorbidity; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004750:Enteral Nutrition; D005260:Female; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D015430:Weight Gain; D015431:Weight Loss
D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D002997:Clomipramine