Psychiatric Comorbidity in Eating Disorders

highest risks of premature death of all mental illnesses.1 One of the reasons for this high mortality rate, relative to other mental illnesses, may be the high rate of comorbid psychiatric conditions, as the presence of comorbidity may decrease treatment success. Recognition of comorbidity is important in providing an understanding of the context in which the eating disorder develops and perpetuates, and in guiding treatment. Although comorbid psychiatric disorders appear to be common in eating disorders, the current literature is rather preliminary.