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Anorexia nervosa in an elderly woman
The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry
|April 4, 2001
Abstract
Objective:
To demonstrate a case of anorexia nervosa in the elderly and to highlight the need for broadening of current diagnostic criteria.
Clinical Picture:
First onset of anorexia nervosa in a 72-year-old woman following bereavement of her husband.
Treatment:
Nine treatments of electroconvulsive therapy.
Outcome:
Treatment resulted in remission of the depressive symptoms and improvement of eating behaviour.
Conclusions:
Anorexia nervosa does occur in the elderly and can be difficult to detect. Where comorbid depression exists it requires aggressive treatment.