The Singapore Family Physician

Back to issue Vol 45 No. 6 - Asthma and Inflammation - New Updates

Adolescent Eating Disorder in Primary Care - A Case Study

Dr Audrey Han
Dr Rajeev Ramachandran
A/Prof Goh Lee Gan
The Singapore Family Physician Vol 45 No 6 - Asthma and Inflammation - New Updates
Anorexia Nervosa is one of the eating disorders, as classified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, the fifth edition. It is characterised by a pathological fear of weight gain associated with an overwhelming drive for thinness. Patients do present to primary care with vague, non-specific complaints. A heightened degree of suspicion is required for the diagnosis, as patients tend to hide symptoms and are often in denial. We present a case in an 11-year-old girl brought by her mother to the polyclinic with a history of restrictive eating and excessive exercise for three weeks. This case provided a learning opportunity on the assessment and management of an eating disorder, as well as the adverse effects of undernutrition.