[Anorexia and bulimia--limits and options in clinical practice]

Even though there is no convincing evidence that eating disorders in general are on the rise, there has been an enormous increase in "treated" cases of patients with eating disorders. General practitioners detect only about 12% of all bulimia nervosa cases, and about 45% of all anorexia nervosa cases. As they often serve as gatekeepers to specialized care, they should receive better training in the recognition of eating disorders. The paper covers important aspects which are essential for the diagnosis and treatment of subjects with eating disorders: early detection, medical examination, motivational interviewing, treatment with self-help manuals, and drug treatment.