Citation

Morgan JF, Lacey JH. Int. J. Eat. Disord. 2000; 27(4): 483-485.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2000, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1002/(sici)1098-108x(200005)27:4<483::aid-eat15>3.0.co;2-y

PMID

10744857

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Deliberate blood-letting has been characterized as an alternative to purging behavior in bulimia.

METHOD: We describe a female healthcare worker with an 8-year history of restrictive anorexia nervosa, who initially presented with anemia, using blood-letting, cold baths, and starvation to control her mental state.

RESULTS: In contrast with the previous cases of bulimia, the aim of blood-letting in this case of anorexia nervosa was to achieve anemia. She compared the psychic correlates of anemia to emaciation, rather than to deliberate self-harm or purging.

DISCUSSION: We note that mainstream 19th century psychiatry prescribed "baths, blood-letting and diet" as a treatment of "madness."

Language: en

Keywords

Humans; Female; Anemia; Anorexia Nervosa/complications/*psychology; Phlebotomy/*psychology; Self-Injurious Behavior/etiology/*psychology