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Touyz S, Bryant E, Dann KM, Polivy J, Le Grange D, Hay P, Lacey H, Aouad P, Barakat S, Miskovic-Wheatley J, Griffiths K, Carroll B, Calvert S, Maguire S. What kind of illness is anorexia nervosa? Revisited: some preliminary thoughts to finding a cure. J Eat Disord 2023; 11:221. [PMID: 38082362 PMCID: PMC10714619 DOI: 10.1186/s40337-023-00944-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2025] Open
Abstract
Two decades have elapsed since our publication of 'What kind of illness is anorexia nervosa?'. The question remains whether our understanding of anorexia nervosa and its treatment thereof has evolved over this time. The verdict is disappointing at best. Our current gold standard treatments remain over-valued and clinical outcomes are modest at best. Those in our field are haunted by the constant reminder that anorexia nervosa carries the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric disorder. This cannot continue and demands immediate action. In this essay, we tackle the myths that bedevil our field and explore a deeper phenotyping of anorexia nervosa. We argue that we can no longer declare agnostic views of the disorder or conceive treatments that are "brainless": it is incumbent upon us to challenge the prevailing zeitgeist and reconceptualise anorexia nervosa. Here we provide a roadmap for the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Touyz
- InsideOut Institute for Eating Disorders, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney and Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, Australia
| | - E Bryant
- InsideOut Institute for Eating Disorders, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney and Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, Australia.
| | - K M Dann
- InsideOut Institute for Eating Disorders, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney and Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, Australia
| | - J Polivy
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - D Le Grange
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Parnassus Heights, San Francisco, USA
| | - P Hay
- Translational Health Research Institute, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, Australia
- Mental Health Services SWSLHD, Campbelltown, Australia
| | - H Lacey
- Population Health Research Institute, St George's, University of London, London, UK
| | - P Aouad
- InsideOut Institute for Eating Disorders, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney and Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, Australia
| | - S Barakat
- InsideOut Institute for Eating Disorders, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney and Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, Australia
| | - J Miskovic-Wheatley
- InsideOut Institute for Eating Disorders, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney and Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, Australia
| | - K Griffiths
- InsideOut Institute for Eating Disorders, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney and Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, Australia
| | - B Carroll
- InsideOut Institute for Eating Disorders, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney and Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, Australia
| | - S Calvert
- Australian Eating Disorder Research and Translation Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Healing Conversations, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - S Maguire
- InsideOut Institute for Eating Disorders, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney and Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, Australia
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