Anorexia/bulimia nervosa: the development of anorexia nervosa and of mental symptoms. Treatment and the outcome of the disease.

Since 1958 we have conducted a prospective study of anorexia/bulimia nervosa (A/BN) covering a total of 550 patients. This paper presents a new idea of the development of A/BN. For a variety of reasons, a predisposition for developing A/BN is triggered by a minor and non-specific loss of weight. The development of mental symptoms with pathological thoughts and behaviour, and disturbances in the satiety and hunger centres suggest a cerebral dysfunction. Educating patients in pathophysiology enables them to use their intelligence, logical thinking and strong will to evaluate the importance of an adequate supply of nutrients. To date, two studies of the outcome of the disease have been carried out producing similar results: 86% fair results (12% spontaneous recovery), 13% chronic cases and 1% have died.