Eating disorders in elderly: clinical implications

Abstract

Eating disorders (EDs) are a challenging category of psychiatric disorders that often present a chronic evolution and are associated with significant functional impairment, with high rates of psychiatric and medical comorbidities and mortality. Although long-time described only in the young population, now eating disorders are increasingly diagnosed in elderly. The etiology of eating disorders is mostly unknown and, in elderly, appears to be multifactorial. The purpose of this review is to summarize data examining eating disorders in elderly. We argue for the use of the biopsychosocial model and paradigm by mental health practitioners in the approach of elderly with EDs.

Neurostimulation Approaches in the Treatment of Severe Anorexia Nervosa

“…Hence, the notion of eating disorders being a predominantly female-experienced domain has lifted given that recent evidence suggests that males are approaching parity in terms of the pervasiveness of body dissatisfaction and body dysmorphia. Similarly, future studies should document anorectic experiences among seniors because evidence-based treatment is surely lacking [97][98][99]. Since AN treatment goals include restoring weight and treating somatic complications, it is particularly important to uncover the implications of ECT and/or TMS in older persons due to their fragile health.…”