Parenting by patients with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa

The authors present the experiences of the parents of 12 patients with anorexia nervosa and/or bulimia nervosa. Most patients experience serious parenting difficulties, with two out of 12 parents abandoning their children. As expected, the severity of marital dysfunction appears to mirror the severity of parenting dysfunction. Assessment of parenting skills should be a routine part of the assessment of any patient with Anorexia nervosa or Bulimia nervosa who is also a parent.