Targeting all psychopathological dimensions in the treatment of anorexia nervosa

Efforts to improve the prognosis of subjects with anorexia nervosa [AN] through the development of specific therapeutic interventions have yielded unsatisfactory results. AN can be perceived as a mental disorder that is clinically composed of disturbed psychopathological dimensions found in major depressive disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, body dysmorphic disorder, and delusional disorder somatic type. Future treatment strategies of patients with AN might target these multiple psychopathological dimensions. Considering that each of these dimensions is known to be best treated with psychopharmacologic drugs such as antidepressants, mood stabilizers and antipsychotic drugs, AN treatment guidelines may need to consider prescribing them to patients.