Abuse of Laxatives to Reduce Weight
Two psychiatric conditions are commonly associated with laxative and/or diuretic abuse to control weight. They are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. The newest diagnostic criteria for anorexia nervosa now makes it possible to diagnose this disorder before profound weight loss has occurred. There are four criteria: (1) refusal to maintain body weight greater than a minimum normal weight for age and height, the minimum being 15% below that expected; (2) intense fear of gaining weight; (3) a disturbance in the way one's body weight, size, or shape is experienced; and (4) amenorrhea in girls.
Anorexia nervosa usually begins in early to late adolescence. It is primarily a disorder of girls.
