Theory: anorexia may be inherited and linked to autism
Tuesday, August 21st, 2007A psychiatrist at King’s College London says that anorexia may be caused by a genetic brain disorder shared by people with autism and Asperger’s syndrome. Prof. Janet Treasure says she thinks the condition may be triggered by inherited problems with mental processing which can often be spotted in childhood behavior.
A recent survey found more than 20 per cent of anorexic patients could be described as having a disorder on the autism spectrum.
Anorexia has been described as “the female form of Asperger’s”, a milder form of autism in which sufferers have difficulty communicating and maintaining social relationships.
From the (UK) Telegraph and the (London) Times.
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