[Anorexia nervosa and depression--a case study]

Associations between anorexia nervosa and affective disorders have often been suggested. A case is described of a 14-year-old girl who develops anorexia nervosa on the basis of major depressive disorder. After improvement of anorectic symptomatology during inpatient treatment depressed mood becomes present again. Etiologic aspects are discussed. As demonstrated by this case report patients with anorexia nervosa might not only exhibit depressive symptoms at follow-up, but also in the premorbid state during early childhood.