Three case reports on the relationship between anorexia nervosa and obsessive compulsive disorder

The literature has demonstrated that both food-related and non food-related obsessions and compulsions are common in patients with eating disorders and that eating disorders are common in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It has become increasingly important, therefore, to evaluate the clinical and etiological relationships between these disorders. The authors present three patients with anorexia nervosa and obsessive-compulsive disorder. In two of the cases, OCD symptoms preceded onset of the eating disorder by several years. In the third case, OCD symptoms began after the onset of weight loss. In all three cases, obsessive-compulsive symptoms had a significant effect on attempts to treat the eating disorder. Medication, utilized in one of the three patients, was helpful in treatment of the OCD but did not have a major effect on the eating disorder. There remains much to learn about the epidemiology, etiology, treatment and outcome of those who have comorbid eating disorders and OCD. These cases highlight some of the issues encountered in management of patients with these combined conditions.