Depressive disorders in patients suffering from anorexia nervosa

Aim: The purpose of the study was the estimation of depressive disorders-anorexia nervosa comorbidity (based on the criteria of ICD-10 and DSM-IV). The group of 30 children (average age 13.5), 27 females and 3 males, suffering from the first episode of anorexia nervosa, was considered. Methods: Anamnesis from patients and their parents, clinical observation, the psychiatric examination with the experimental use of the Poznansky Children's Depression Rating Scale and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. Results: The depression disorders-anorexia nervosa comorbidity was frequently observed. 73.3% of children suffered from depressive disorders in the course of anorexia nervosa. As for intensity in 33% depression was moderate, in 20% - severe, and in 20% - mild. In the studied group of children depression symptoms occurred in the bulimic subtype of anorexia nervosa in 88.8% of cases and in the restricting subtype in 72.2%. Statistically, in the considered group, the depression was significantly more frequently observed in the first- and second-degree relatives. Conclusions: In the examined group, a number of biological as well as psychological factors which could predispose to depression was found. However, the children were not suffering from depression until they developed anorexia nervosa and cachexia.