[Depression syndromes in patients suffering from anorexia nervosa].

AIM

The purpose of the study was the estimation of comorbidity of depressive syndromes and anorexia nervosa (based on criteria of ICD-10 and DSM-IV). A group of 30 children (average age--13.5), 27 girls and 3 boys suffering from a first episode of anorexia nervosa was considered.

METHOD

Anamnesis from patients and their parents, clinical observation, the psychiatric investigation with use of The Depression Rating Scale for Children (Elva o. Poznański and comp.) and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale.

RESULTS

The comorbidity of depressive syndromes and anorexia nervosa was frequently observed. 73.3% children suffered from depressive syndromes in the course of anorexia nervosa. As for intensity--in 33% it was moderate, in 20%--severe, and in 20%--mild depression. In the investigated group of children depressive syndromes appeared in the bulimic subtype of anorexia nervosa in 88.8% cases and in the restricting subtype in 72.2%. Statistically, in the considered group, the depression was significantly frequent in the first and the second degree relatives.

CONCLUSIONS

In the examined group, the number of biological as well as psychological events which could predispose to depression was found. However, the children were not suffering from depression until they were sick from anorexia nervosa and their bodies were not cachectic.