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Woman with anorexia is discharged after doctors say that she is untreatable

BMJ 2016; 353 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.i2038 (Published 08 April 2016) Cite this as: BMJ 2016;353:i2038

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Re: Woman with anorexia is discharged after doctors say that she is untreatable

Severe Enduring Eating Disorders carry a 20% mortality rate. Reversal of severe weight loss and starvation of itself will not benefit chronic anorexic cognition or improve the long term outlook. In Canada, sufferers with features similar to that described, have recently undergone Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS). In some, initial benefits in terms of anorexic cognition, behaviour and maintenance of weight gain have been reported.

In many sufferers with Severe Enduring Eating Disorders, palliation may be the only realistic course of action. Belgian, Dutch and Swiss sufferers, weary of their existence may consider doctor assisted suicide. As the UK considers the place of doctor assisted suicide, the drive to parity of esteem may take on a whole new unanticipated dimension.

Competing interests: No competing interests

22 April 2016
Antony L Natt
Retired General Practitioner
Clinical Awareness Officer for First Steps Eating Disorder Charity Derby
Chesterfield Derbyshire