Psychopharmacology for Pediatric Eating Disorders

Eating disorders often begin in childhood and adolescence and have the second highest mortality rate of any mental illness (only opiate dependence is higher). Death is often related to the medical complications of malnutrition, although a high percentage die by suicide. While restoring adequate nutrition is the most important intervention, psychiatrists are often asked to comment on the potential utility of adding psychotropic medications to the treatment plan.