ストレス関連疾患としての摂食障害:—病態と治療—

<p>Because eating disorders have an onset and clinical course that are closely related to psychosocial factors, they can be broadly regarded as psychosomatic diseases. Most patients with eating disorders experience distress, loneliness, and a tendency for low self-esteem. As a result, it is believed that they cope with various psychological problems through behaviors such as over-eating or under-eating. Furthermore, many patients experience transient self-esteem if they are praised by others for being thin or experience success in dieting through their own efforts.</p><p>Chronic starvation also has negative effects on brain functions such as elevation of obsessive-compulsive behaviors. Moreover, previous reports suggest that epigenetic alterations might occur among patients with anorexia nervosa during chronic starvation.</p><p>Treatment of eating disorders is often difficult, and integrated treatment of both the mind and body is necessary.</p><p>In the current report, we discuss eating disorders as stress-related diseases and introduce our therapy through the presentation of a case of anorexia nervosa.</p>