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Anorexia nervosa with bipolar disorder: A case report
Author(s) -
Rubenstein John L.,
Steiner Hans,
Pratt J. Mark,
Koran Lorrin M.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
international journal of eating disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.785
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1098-108X
pISSN - 0276-3478
DOI - 10.1002/1098-108x(199103)10:2<221::aid-eat2260100212>3.0.co;2-o
Subject(s) - anorexia nervosa , psychology , eating disorders , bipolar disorder , psychiatry , mood , depression (economics) , context (archaeology) , mania , mood disorders , lithium (medication) , major depressive disorder , diathesis , clinical psychology , medicine , anxiety , paleontology , biology , immunology , economics , macroeconomics
Whether eating disorders cause or are the result of affective disorders is an unsettled question. The association between manic syndromes and eating disorders has been reported rarely. We describe a patient in whom anorexia nervosa developed shortly after the onset of rapid cycling manic—depressive disorder, and whose eating disorder and manic—depressive symptoms twice resolved simultaneously with lithium treatment. This case demonstrates that anorexia nervosa can occur in the context of manic—depressive disorder. This patient first developed depressive, then anorexic, and finally manic symptoms, rapidly alternating with depression. It is uncertain whether this patient's anorexia nervosa had a biological or a psychological basis. Response to lithium carbonate argues for the mobilization of an anorexic diathesis during a mood disorder. Appearance of the anorexia nervosa after initial depression could be seen also as an unsuccessful way to defend against major mood problems.