The authors report a case of co-morbid diagnosis Anorexia Nervosa (AN) with co-morbid diagnosis of Obsessive-compulsive Disorder (OCD) by proxy. The patient is a 16-year-old female who presented to the emergency department with features of AN and also OCD. To reduce the anxiety of her AN, she incorporated her mother as a proxy to follow specific instructions. The patient received both inpatient and outpatient support, and her condition gradually improved with antidepressants and antipsychotics. This case illustrates a co-morbid presentation of OCD with AN and also the result of family accommodation that led to the family member aiding with the compulsion. Treatment for the case was also briefly discussed.
Study site: emergency department (unspecified)