EATING AND SLEEPING DISORDERS

Key words: Eating disorders, Sleeping disorders, Benzodiazepines

Physiology, pathophysiology and common clinical presentation of eating and sleeping disorders are described. The case-management to eating disorders must first determine whether they are accompanied by weight loss. If so, a number of organic disorders ranging from metabolic disturbances to gastrointestinal diseases schould be considered in the differential diagnosis. Eating disorders without weight loss are as a rule minor problems and reassurance or counselling are usually sufficient. Severe sleeping disorders are exceedingly rare. Sleeping disorders are frequent markers, particularly during adolescence, of an underlying psychological problem. Drugs can be used but within a broader approach to diagnosis and treatment.