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Co Morbid Eating Disorders

Written by Admin
Wednesday, 06 February 2008
There are very few illnesses out there that stand apart on their own. Every illness is likely to have another disorder related to it that comprises the whole. For example, someone diagnosed with Major Depression might also have insomnia. So many times, it is difficult for doctors to determine which disorder is the primary one. Most often, the patient needs to be treated for all of the conditions at the same time. Mental health disorders that occur simultaneously with another primary disorder are called "co-morbid" disorders; "morbid" meaning sick, or ill. It is quite common, for example, to diagnose a patient with Alcohol Dependence (primary diagnosis) and a co-morbid disorder of Dysthymia, a milder form of chronic depression. Both conditions are treated together; improvement in one condition means improvement in the other condition. Looking specifically at Anorexia Nervosa as a primary condition, let us look at co-morbid mental health conditions often accompany this eating disorder: Major Depressive Disorder as manifested by depressed mood, social withdrawal, irritability, insomnia and disinterest in sex. Obsessive-Compulsive features. Anorexics are pre-occupied by obsessive thoughts of food. They may compulsively hoard non-nutritional foods, such as plain lettuce or saltine crackers to keep their starvation eating habits secret from family members. Anorexics constantly count food items that they allow themselves to eat, and compulsively check to make sure the non-nutritional food is still in its hiding place. Body Dysmorphic Disorder. With this disorder, the patient has an unshakable belief that his/her body is horrifically ugly despite hearing the truth about their appearance from others. Anorexics are convinced that their abdomen, buttocks and thighs are fat and unattractive, although these body parts may actually be agonizingly skeletal in appearance. The term "flat butt" used by mental health professionals who treat eating disorders indicate a patient's completely flat buttocks, a sign of severe malnutrition. Alcohol and Drug Abuse. Anorexics tend to abuse illegal stimulant drugs to avoid feeling hungry and to maintain a false level of energy. Alcohol is abused for similar reasons; anorexics that drink excessively develop alcohol gastritis, an acute stomach pain that prevents them from eating. Borderline Personality Disorder. A personality disorder is a mental health condition that stems from the underlying character, or personality, of the patient. They reflect the patient's view of the world and their place in it. Personality disorders are permanent conditions although their symptoms can be effectively managed. The Borderline Personality Disorder's primary characteristics are a life constantly in chaos and turmoil, history of suicide attempts, unpredictable and impulsive mood, lack of genuine personal relationships, and a constant need for "drama" in their lives. Anorexics with BPD make frequent suicide attempts, have very unstable personal relationships, and their chaotic behavior may try the patience of everyone who knows them. A combined primary disorder like Anorexia Nervosa and a co-morbid personality disorder are referred to as "double trouble" among mental health professionals. Anorexia Nervosa is an extremely complicated mental disorder. Combine Anorexia with the wide variety of co-morbid disorders, and you can see how difficult the disorder can be to treat. This is why only an experienced mental health provider should be the one to administer therapy. Anorexia is not for the novice therapist by any means.