Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK. Electronic address: rebecca.c.morris@kcl.ac.uk.
2 papers in the library · 4 citations · publishing 2025-2026
People with eating disorders often also have anxiety disorders, which can worsen eating disorder symptoms and interfere with treatment. This systematic review examined 51 studies on medications for anxiety in people with eating disorders. Results were mixed: fluoxetine helped anxiety in anorexia and bulimia nervosa but not binge eating disorder; olanzapine showed benefits for anxiety in anorexia nervosa, with preliminary case reports suggesting its use in ARFID. Early evidence for psilocybin and ketamine reported favorable anxiety outcomes in anorexia nervosa patients. More randomized controlled trials are needed to establish efficacy and safety.
A meta-ethnography of eight qualitative studies examined how people with eating disorders and their providers experience psychedelic-assisted therapy. Five meta-themes emerged: core transformative processes (Mind-Body-Spirit, Emotional Processing) unfold within specific contextual conditions (Navigating Challenges and Risks, Enabling Safe and Supportive Experiences) and lead to meaningful outcomes (Therapeutic Improvements). Psychedelics may improve emotion processing and enhance perception of and connection with the body and self, which is pertinent to eating disorder recovery. However, low weight and physical vulnerabilities increase risks for adverse side effects. To achieve therapeutic outcomes, eating-disorder-specific contextual conditions are required, including dual competency in psychedelic treatment and eating disorder psychopathology.