Articles - Eating Disorders Review

Parents Caring for Adult Patients with AN and BN Speak Out

'Wearing too many hats' is one of the most common problems among an oft-overlooked group. Parents caring for their adult children with eating disorders carry a heavy burden and are under severe…

Update: Brain Signals Differ in Certain Mental Health Disorders

Symptoms of anorexia are affected by differences in the mid-insula. Many people with mental health disorders experience physical symptoms differently, whether this is feeling uncomfortably full in AN or having a strong…

From Across the Desk: Unsung Heroes

These are challenging times for clinicians, patients, and those who support ED patients. A few highlights of this issue include the challenges of caring for adult ED patients, the effects of the…

Testing Higher-Calorie Refeeding for AN Inpatients

A recent study challenges the traditional start-low, go-slow approach to refeeding. Early weight gain is an early predictor of outcome and is one goal of treatment in anorexia nervosa. By tradition, nutritional…

Comparing Weight Gain in Adults with ARFID Restrictive Food Intake with Those with Restrictive AN

A pilot study doesn't deliver the expected results. Patients with Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) have a number of symptoms that differ from those usually seen in people with AN. For…

Another Treatment Option for BED Patients

A pilot study helped patients deal with the negative emotions underlying BED. While cognitive behavioral therapy has been the treatment of choice for patients with binge eating disorder (BED), additional treatment choices…

More Fallout from the COVID-19 Pandemic

In one study, medical admissions of teens with EDs were markedly increased. Emerging data point to a pattern suggesting that the COVID-19 pandemic has increased calls to ED help lines, and to…

Earlier Signs of Risk for Eating Disorders

A study finds signs of risk in preadolescents. Traditionally, anxiety and mood disorders are understood to be signs of risk for an eating disorder and can present in adolescents. However, telltale signs…

Two Common EDs Are Omitted from a Global Survey

Though far more common than AN and BN, OSFED and BED were left out. Eating disorders have often been partially or fully excluded from prevalence of illness surveys. One example is the…

Is Intensive Multi-Family Therapy Worthwhile?

One study is examining the possible benefits of shortened treatment. A new feasibility trial will assess whether a 5-day course of intensive multi-family therapy (MFT) will produce better results for adolescents with…

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS: Fasting

Q. Recently I have seen several college students who are regularly fasting. This seems risky. Do we have any information about the effects of fasting, especially among young adults with eating disorders? A. Finding…

Personality Factors Can Help Predict Symptom Changes After Residential Treatment

But observable symptoms might be misleading. Treatment guidelines for AN and BN routinely state that evaluation of a person’s characteristics should be used to predict responses to different treatment approaches. However, the…