ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews the empirical literature on pharmacological treatment for anorexia nervosa (AN) identified through broad-based literature searches by using Medline and Scopus and additional articles published in the International Journal of Eating Disorders (ED). The treatment of AN is a complex process that includes multi-modal interventions. Psychotherapy and nutritional support are often primary elements of effective treatment programs for AN, whereas psychotropic medications commonly play a secondary role. The basis for recommending second-generation antipsychotic medication includes target of 'psychotic-like' symptoms, extreme anxiety, and obsessionality, features commonly observed among Severe and Enduring Anorexia Nervosa (SE-AN) patients. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an invasive but reversible method of neuromodulation that has been increasingly used in the treatment of neuropsychiatric diseases that do not respond to conventional treatment. The ED field continues to improve treatments, but evaluating long-term outcomes and identifying treatments for the subset of patients with severe and enduring symptoms represents critical future directions.
