Recent research on Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa has yielded an
increasingly detailed understanding of the range of biological and ps
ychological abnormalities associated with these eating disorders. Inhe
rited vulnerabilities, cultural pressures, and adverse individual and
family experiences all appear to contribute to the onset of extreme di
eting, binge eating, and purging. Once initiated, these behaviors give
rise to multiple physiological disturbances, some of which may serve
to perpetuate the illness. Although there have been substantial advanc
es in the management of Bulimia Nervosa, the goal of offering effectiv
e treatment to all individuals with eating disorders remains elusive.
This article reviews current thinking on the etiology and treatment of
the two major eating disorders and a related syndrome, Binge Eating D
isorder.