Anorexia tardive--late onset marital anorexia nervosa

Abstract

Most cases of anorexia nervosa start in adolescence but a sizeable number can develop the condition at any late age. The term Anorexia Tardive is reintroduced to describe woman who develop anorexia nervosa at or after the time of their marriages. The paper reports the study of the background and personalities of 50 such women, together with their husbands in 45 cases, and the parts played by both in the condition. The women were divided into 4 groups; those who developed Anorexia Tardive (1) in the engaged period, (2) after marriage and before pregnancy, (3) after childbirth and (4) at or after the menopause. In the first three groups Anorexia Tardive developed as a maladaptive solution to a growing marital crisis. Many of the husbands were immature men who readily accepted a sick dependent wife. Group 4 women differed in a number of respects and their loss of weight ultimately came to express a desire to die. Outcome and prognosis are described.