Anorexia Nervosa and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Essays -- Essays on

Anorexia Nervosa and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder It has long been recognized that there are similarities between Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Anorexia Nervosa. These similarities lie in the symptoms of the disorder. Many patients of both diseases report intrusive, fearful thoughts, a compulsive need to perform rituals, and an obsession with maintaining these rituals. In the case of anorexia nervosa these behaviors center on food and thinness whereas in OCD they are of a more general type. Past research has indicated that there is a higher prevalence rate for OCD among anorexia nervosa patients then in the normal population. The lifetime prevalence for OCD has been found to be around 3%. Conversely, the comorbidity rate for OCD and anorexia has been reported to be between 6% and 33%! This leads one to hypothesis that there may be a relationship between OCD and anorexia nervosa. It is not clear yet, based on the present research, what this relationship is. But, there are many studies out there that try to examine the relationship as well as its underlying causes. In this literature review some of this research will be examined and some preliminary conclusions will be drawn. Finally, further research to explore this relationship will be proposed. Anorexia Nervosa Anorexia nervosa is a specific disorder defined in DSM IV. Several classifications must be met for a diagnosis of anorexia to be made. There must be a refusal by the patient to maintain a healthy body weight for their age and height. This behavior must eventually lead to a weight loss in which the body weight falls to less then 85% of the persons ideal body weight. Or the patient can refuse to gain any weight during periods of growth. In wome... ...urther studies are conducted that lead to a better connection between the two disorders, sufferers can be treated more efficiently. Reference Gee, Rebecca, Telew, Nicholas. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and anorexia nervosa in a high school athlete: A case report. Journal of Athletic Training. 1999: 34:375-378 Han L, Nielsen D, Rosenthal N, Jefferson K, Kaye W, Murphy D, Altemus M, Humphries J, Cassano G, Rotondo A, Virkkunen M, Linnoila M, & Goldman D. No coding varient of the tryptophan hydroxylase gene detected in seasonal affective disoder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anorexia nervosa, and alcoholism. Biological Psychiatry. 1999:45:615-619. Thiel A, Zurger M, Jacoby G, & Shussler G. Thirty month outcome in patients with anorexia or bulimia nervosa and concomitant obsessive-compulsive disorder. The American Journal of Psychiatry. 1998: 155:244-249.