You are taking the history of a 14-year-old girl who has a (BMI) of 18. The girl reports inability to eat, induced vomiting and severe constipation.. Bulimia nervosa

You are taking the history of a 14-year-old girl who has a (BMI) of 18.

The girl reports inability to eat, induced vomiting and severe constipation.

Which of the following would you most likely suspect?

A- Multiple sclerosis
B- Anorexia nervosa
C- Bulimia nervosa
D- Systemic sclerosis

Answer: B. Anorexia nervosa

All of the clinical signs and symptoms point to a condition of anorexia nervosa. The key feature of anorexia nervosa is self-imposed starvation, resulting from a distorted body image and an intense, irrational fear of gaining weight, even when the patient is emaciated.

Anorexia nervosa may include refusal to eat accompanied by compulsive exercising, self-induced vomiting, or laxative or diuretic abuse.

Option A: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease in which the insulating covers of the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord are damaged.

Option C: On the other hand, bulimia nervosa features binge eating followed by a feeling of guilt, humiliation, and self-deprecation. These feelings cause the patient to engage in self-induced vomiting, use of laxatives or diuretics.

Option D: Systemic sclerosis or systemic scleroderma is an autoimmune disease of the connective tissue.