Episode 21: Challenging “Terminal Anorexia”

ED on ED

Let’s get into it. This episode focuses on a current controversial topic in the eating disorder treatment community - the proposal of a new diagnostic category of “terminal anorexia nervosa,” and offering MAID (medical assistance in dying) to those who fit the category. Liz and Dr. Ed vehemently challenge the claims of the article that proposed the term. They draw from the expertise of other medical professionals and shine a light on the dangers of that proposed term. All in all, they discuss the importance of holding onto hope during a patient’s darkest moments. They highly encourage you to read the articles they reference in the episode linked below:

“Terminal anorexia nervosa: three cases and proposed clinical characteristics” By Jennifer L. Guadiani, Alyssa Bogetz & Joal Yager

https://jeatdisord.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40337-022-00548-3

“Terminal Anorexia Is Dangerous Justification for Aid in Dying” by

PATRICIA WESTMORELAND, M.D., PHILIP MEHLER, M.D., HARRY BRANDT, M.D.

https://psychnews.psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.pn.2022.11.9.4

“First, do no harm: the proposed definition of “terminal anorexia” is fraught with danger for vulnerable individuals”

By Megan Riddle, Anne Marie O’Melia, and Maryrose Bauschka

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9202193/

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