[A male anorexia nervosa case and its discussion from dynamic point of view]

In this case report, we represent a male anorexia nervosa case and discuss its psychodynamics in the frame of psychoanalytic theories. Males account for %5-15 of all eating disorders. History of a criticism or a teasing for fatness by relatives or friends is very common in males before the onset of the illness. Males who are in occupations or athletic pursuits that emphasize body weight, or who work in potential high-risk jobs, and who are homosexual are at increased risk for eating disorders. Potential high risk jobs include appearance-based jobs, jobs traditionally held by women and food related jobs. Comorbid psychiatric disorders, mainly depression and anxiety disorders, and especially for bulimic males, substance-related disorders and cluster B personality traits with marked impulsivity are common. When family dynamics are considered, a father who is psychologically distant from his son, and an "over-protective, over-involved and over-dependent" mother have been described. Separation difficulties and lack of boundaries within covertly conflictual relationships have been noted in a number of clinical reports. The only difference in clinical presentation between males and females is; males rarely use medicine in order to lose weight and weight changes throughout the illness are more common in males. In this case report, a male anorexia nervosa case's psychodynamics are discussed under the influence of his psychiatric illness and his childhood history.