New developments in anorexia nervosa research

Eating disorders and anorexia nervosa are relevant psychiatric problems and often represent a serious challenge to patients, families and clinicians as well. There are several questions surrounding anorexia nervosa about its etiology, maintaining factors, best treatment approaches, which still lack a definite answer. Anorexia is often puzzling and difficult to understand, for patients, who may have a poor insight into the reasons and meaning of their disorder, and for their loved ones who may feel powerless and hopeless when facing a disorder they cannot figure out. Clinicians may approach this disorder in very different ways. There is still a lot to reflect on in regard to anorexia, and the contributions included in this volume aim to help the reader find interesting hints about theoretical, clinical and research issues.