The comorbidity of anorexia nervosa and borderline personality disorder: a case report and literature review.

Introduction: Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is a serious psychiatric disorder, it may affect up to 4.2% of women during their lifetime and carries the highest mortality rates of any mental health disorder. The latest data suggest that a quarter of all people withANfulfil diagnostic criteria for borderline personality disorder (BPD), and that a similar percentage of those with BPD have AN. Objectives: This case report aims to describe a case of anorexia nervosa in a girl with BPD and to determine the prevalence and mechanism of association between AN and BPD. Methods: A patient case is presented with associated literature review. Results: Ms. MA, aged 19, with no medical history, is a student in the secondary school. She was referred by the emergency unit for suicidal thoughts. The interview revealed, in addition to the depressive symptomatology, many criteria for BPD such as frantic efforts to avoid abandonment, interpersonal relationships instability, Impulsive and self-harming behaviour, substance abuse... Additionally, MA is on a restrictive diet with a target weight of 44 kg (previous target weight was 50 last year). The diagnosis of anorexia nervosa was retained according to DSM-5 criteria. MA was put on antidepressant treatment combined with dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) with progressive improvement noted. Psychopathological, neurobiological and endocrine models are incriminated in the association between AN and BPD Conclusions: It is important that clinicians are aware of the frequency with which AN occurs in association with BPD because of the severity of this combination and the need for a specific and careful management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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