Substance Use Disorders, Personality Disorders, and Eating Disorders

Abstract Alcohol and other substance use disorders are a major concern in all age groups and across all ethnic, socioeconomic, and racial groups. Despite high lifetime prevalence, less than 10% of persons with substance use disorders are involved in treatment. Personality disorders are grouped into 3 clusters and demand the most from internists. The disorder is treatable and generally improves despite common perceptions to the contrary. The 2 common eating disorders are anorexia nervosa and bulimia. Both are markedly more prevalent among women than men. Eating disorders are increasingly found across all income, racial, and ethnic groups. Both disorders have a primary symptom of preoccupation with weight and distortion of body image. Eating disorders have the highest lethality of all psychiatric illnesses.