Eating Disorders: A Guide to Medical Care and Complications

Eating disorders present diagnostic and treatment challenges to clinicians. While such disorders need both medical and psychological treatment, patients may be too medically ill for a thorough psychiatric evaluation and may be misunderstood by many primary care physicians. In this book, Drs. Philip S. Mehler and Arnold E. Andersen provide a user-friendly and comprehensive guide for primary care physicians, mental health professionals, and others who encounter patients who have eating disorders. Mehler and Andersen identify common medical complications that people who have eating disorders face and answer questions about how to treat them. They also cover such serious complications as osteoporosis, cardiac arrhythmia, electrolyte abnormalities, and gastrointestinal sequelae. Incorporating illustrative case studies, medical background on the complications, guidelines for diagnosis and treatment, and an up-to-date list of selected references, chapters cover important topics including team treatment and nutritional rehabilitation. Care of the patient who is very medically compromised is based on extensive experience. The authors also address special areas of concern, such as athletes who have eating disorders, males with eating disorders, and the pharmacological treatment of obesity. In this thoroughly revised and updated edition of Eating Disorders, Drs. Mehler and Andersen * discuss the results of recent randomized control trials* include new chapters on diabetes in eating disorders, osteoporosis, gastrointestinal complications, involuntary feeding, and innovative psychological strategies* present a fresh consideration of ethical conflicts, including involuntary treatment, harm reduction, palliative care, and futility* focus on evidence-based solutions* provide information pertinent to worried families and nonmedical professionals like teachers and coaches, including recent genetic findings* take a holistic approach that considers both the physical and mental health of the patient This classic foundational guide will help primary care and mental health professionals to understand and more effectively address the complex concerns of patients who have eating disorders.