AN ATYPICAL EATING DISORDER WITH CROHNS-DISEASE IN A 15-YEAR-OLD MALE- A CASE-STUDY

Most of the time, school or counseling psychologists are not specifica lly trained to work with children who have physical disorders that cau se or exacerbate psychological problems. This article describes a 15-y ear-old male with delayed physical development who was referred for ps ychological evaluation and treatment of a suspected eating disorder. S ix months after psychological intervention, appropriate eating behavio rs were established, yet he had not gained weight as expected. After f urther medical evaluation, he was diagnosed as having Crohn's disease. Criteria for a DSM-III-R diagnosis of Anorexia Nervosa or Eating Diso rder, Not Otherwise Specified, are discussed and symptoms of Crohn's d isease described. Also discussed are differential diagnoses and practi cal recommendations for professionals in the field.