Anorexia nervosa

1. Both boys and girls can get anorexia nervosa, although it is about ten times as common in females
2. Studies have shown that anorexia nervosa is not confined to “upper class” segments of the population, but can be found across the socio-economic spectrum
3. Anorexia nervosa was described in previous centuries and, despite what the press says, rates have not been proven to be increasing.
4. Children as young as 6 or 7 have been described with anorexia nervosa
5. There is a large genetic vulnerability component to anorexia nervosa; it can “run in families”
6. Anorexia nervosa is commonly associated with perfectionism and anxiety
7. Anorexia nervosa can strike fat kids as well as thin ones and is as dangerous for overweight kids as for underweight ones
8. Parents do not cause anorexia nervosa and children do not choose to have it

Bulimia Nervosa

1. Bulimia nervosa must be distinguished from purging variants of anorexia nervosa
2. Bulimia nervosa is about five times as common as anorexia nervosa
3. Patients with bulimia nervosa are usually of normal weight, or even higher than normal weight and it can therefore be hidden easily
4. There is a strong genetic component to bulimia nervosa and it can “run in families”
5. Bulimia nervosa will often respond well to a treatment combination of ordered eating, cognitive behavioral therapy and medication

Food Phobia

1. Food phobia often strikes younger children, both girls and boys
2. Food phobia is a fear of swallowing, of choking or vomiting such that the child refuses to eat and sometimes even to drink
3. Food phobia is often associated with other anxiety disorders
4. Food phobia will respond well to treatment, but it often involves a hospital stay and the use of medication, in addition to therapy
5. Food phobia has a good long-term prognosis if it is treated