Anorexia nervosa: A somatic disorder

Abstract

The progress of 53 patients with anorexia nervosa has been studied, during and after their stay in a general hospital. In-patient treatment was ineffective except in those who were intubated. Follow-up shows that 10 patients have died, 8 of them solely of malnutrition, others of the same severity recovering spontaneously after a varying number of years. Twenty-three patients have recovered completely. The importance of the nutritional aspect of treatment should be stressed, and, whereas leucotomy may rarely be required, specialized psychotherapy is not indicated. © 1958, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.