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Australian Prescriber Vol. 21 No. 4 1998

Eating disorders: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and related syndromes - an overview of assessment and management

Anorexia is not a very common problem. It affects about 5 women in every 1000. They are always trying to lose weight and be thin. This can severely affect their health and some patients will die. Often specialist treatment is needed and some patients will need to be admitted to hospital.

Treatment involves the doctors, the family and dietitians trying to help the patient regain a normal weight. Unfortunately, one-fifth of patients are still having problems 5 years later.

Bulimia is another eating disorder. It is more common than anorexia, affecting up to 1% of the population. Patients with bulimia go on eating binges. They then try to offset the risk of putting on weight by making themselves vomit or using laxatives. Treatment is psychological, but sometimes antidepressants are used. The majority of patients recover.