Overview of Related Illnesses
Although anorexia can develop on its own, many individuals with anorexia also experience symptoms of other mental illnesses, such asobsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or depression. Additionally, anorexia is often discussed in conjunction with orthorexia, an eating disorder that is considered by some to be a type of anorexia.
Co-occurring Illnesses
(International Journal of Eating Disorders: study on OCD, study on depression)
While OCD and depression are likely to co-occur with anorexia, they also occur at above-average rates after recovery from anorexia. This could indicate that many individuals with anorexia had symptoms of OCD or depression before they developed anorexia, since some of these symptoms remain post-recovery. It could also indicate that the obsessive or depressed behaviors that arise during anorexia become engrained and are harder to recover from than the anorexia.
Orthorexia
While anorexia and bulimia are the two most well-known eating disorders, the concept of orthorexia has gained traction in recent years. Although it is not yet recognized as an eating disorder by the DSM, orthorexia is an obsession with being healthy, to the point where it is unhealthy. It can involve refusing to eat many foods, a fear of certain ingredients, feeling distressed when one's rules regarding food can not be followed, etc. (Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment)
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Click on the images below to learn more about orthorexia or about the co-occurrence of anorexia and another illness.
Anorexia + OCD
Anorexia + Depression
It is important to note that OCD and depression are not the only mental illnesses linked to anorexia. Eating disorders, particularly anorexia, have also been associated with higher rates of generalized anxiety disorder and phobias, substance use disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and even autism spectrum disorders. In order to be successful, eating disorder treatment options must explore whether or not the patient has another illness and then expand and modify treatment as such .