Schizophrenia and Eating Disorders

Schizophrenia requires diverse and individualized treatment approaches. Accurate identification and management of comorbid psychiatric syndromes determine outcome. Disturbances in eating and the distorted perception of body image are difficult to separate from other psychotic phenomena. Eating is a complicated integration of psychoneuroendocrinology. Despite the difficulties in defining the distinction between behaviors and cognitive perceptions that are and are not of diagnosable severity, there are patients with clearer coexistence of eating disorders and schizophrenia that carry on independent courses. This article presents clinical cases that portray a spectrum of eating pathology in patients with schizophrenia.