Psychiatric comorbidity in eating disorders: psychopathological considerations

The psychiatric comorbidity was examined in patients who met ICD-10 criteria for eating disorders. The most frequent comorbid diagnoses were mood disorders, followed by personality disorders and neurotic disorders. Non-attendance at school was also seen. Eating disorders did not directly cause mood disorders, but rather indirectly brought them about by a devaluation of self-esteem. Features of personality disorders occurred independently of eating disorders, appearing or disappearing relative to the major object or transitional object. Neurotic disorders served as non-verbal communication, a function originally included in eating disorders. It is important to take note of the devaluation of self-esteem and the meanings of symptoms as communication within eating disorders.