| Theme |
Gastorointestinal Diseases --from the Standpoint of Psychosomatic Medicine |
| Title |
Eating Disorders |
| Author |
Miwako Sakuramoto |
Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Branchi Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo |
| Author |
Shinobu Nomura |
Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Branchi Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo |
| [ Summary ] |
Eating disorders are psychosomatic disease incident to adolescent women and include anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN) . AN is characterized by extreme emaciation and intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, and BN by recurrent episodes of binge eating with a sense of lack of control.
The treatment of these eating disorders relies on both physiological and psychological approaches. Physiological treatment is required for physical disturbances and complications due to malnutrition or purging behavior (i.e.,self-induced vomiting or the misuse of laxatives). Physical disturbances and complications sometimes become more severe, so we should be more careful with physical treatments. Psychological therapy is required for psycho-social problems that the patient has, such as cognitive distortion, interpersonal relationships, self-identity and self-development. Sometimes we have trouble creating a good doctor-patient relationship, because the patient lacks a perception of illness, or displays marked impulsivity. Therefore, the primary physician should consult with a specialist in eating disorders at an early stage. |