Familial Alcoholism in Anorexia Nervosa

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Few studies have been published about psychiatric illness among relatives of patients with anorexia nervosa. Even less information is available concerning alcohol abuse in relatives of such patients. Theander (10) found a 2.5 per cent incidence of alcohol abuse among uncles and aunts of patients with anorexia nervosa. Six out of 94 fathers, 6.5 per cent, were alcohol abusers, whereas none of the 94 mothers so indulged. In a recent report of 13 male cases of anorexia nervosa Crisp and Toms (3) describe one father who was a severe alcoholic. Kay and Leigh (6), in a study of 38 patients with anorexia nervosa, noted alcoholism in four parents out of a total of 76 (5 per cent). Alcoholism in actual anorexia nervosa patients has been mentioned, but no incidence figures were given. Crisp (2) commented that ‘those chronic patients who have progressed to a state of overeating and vomiting not infrequently appear to become dominated by oral behaviour, and may sometimes present with alcoholism’. Toms and Crisp (11) hold that alcohol and drugs may be used as substitutes or diversions for the suppression of normal appetite.