Medical Presentations of Covert Sexual Abuse in Eating Disorder Patients
April 25, 1993
A subpopulation of patients with eating disorders have also experienced sexual abuse. Medical symptoms in that subpopulation can, at times, represent an embellishment of true organic pathology or a physical way of remembering past trauma (“body memories”). Organic disease must be ruled out by the use of specific and appropriate tests. A thorough history and a detailed physical examination are imperative so that the patient is not subjected to unnecessary, expensive, and/or often invasive tests, which may only worsen or complicate the patient's condition. Medical personnel and therapists alike should be vigilant to the connection between unusual physical symptoms and a history of sexual abuse in patients with eating disorders.
Read the full article in Eating Disorders: The Journal of Treatment and Prevention.
- Mehler PS, Weiner KL. Medical Presentations of Covert Sexual Abuse in Eating Disorder Patients. Eating Disorders: Journal of Treatment and Prevention 1(4):259-264, 1993. DOI: 10.1080/10640269308251165