Comorbidity in Eating Disorders, a Factor Complicating Diagnosis and Treatment

Overview

The authors discuss the problem of comorbidity in eating disorders. The incidence of eating disorders is markedly increasing during the last decade and concurrently also the number of cases with comorbidity from other psychic or somatic diseases is rising. Comorbidity with depressive disorders, with obsessive compulsive disorders and alcohol dependence and other addictions are encountered frequently. As to somatic disorders comorbidity with diabetes is frequent. Every comorbidity makes diagnosis and in particular treatment more difficult. In those instances close interdisciplinary collaboration in treatment is necessary.

Key words:
eating disorder - comorbidity - depression - obsessive compulsive disorder - diabetes mellitus.