Autism Therapy: anorexia

Olanzapine may help children with anorexia nervosa and autism to overcome their anorexia.

Many patients with anorexia nervosa also have pervasive developmental disorder. Anorexia and autism share symptoms of obsession and compulsion. Olanzapine is often used to treat anorexia because it causes weight gain. This case study describes a 17-year-old girl in Japan who had a 1-year history of anorexia and was treated with drug therapy. She had no real language or motor delays, but she did lack social skills. Olanzapine therapy helped her to gain weight.