Stigma and denial of illness in a male adolescent with Anorexia Nervosa – A case report
A propósito de um caso clínico
Keywords:
anorexia nervosa, psychological denial, social stigmaAbstract
Denial of illness is common in adolescents suffering from Anorexia Nervosa (AN) and represents a major barrier to early diagnosis and treatment. Males with AN may experience a “double stigma” as they face not only the burden of a mental disorder, but also one traditionally perceived as predominantly affecting females. We report the case of a 13-year-old male with restrictive-type AN, who exhibited marked illness denial, experiential avoidance, and stigma regarding his psychiatric condition, and discuss how these factors contributed to a delay in the recognition of the disorder and initiation of its treatment. Organic and psychiatric differential diagnoses are discussed. Particular attention is given to the patient’s late childhood, characterized by obesity and low self-efficacy, which may have acted as predisposing factors for the development of the disorder. Treatment focused primarily on promoting illness acceptance, resulting in progressive clinical improvement. This case highlights the need to raise awareness of AN in males to ensure timely intervention.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Rui Sampaio, Rita Rodrigues, Mafalda Marques, Maria do Céu Ribeiro, Filipa Martins Silva
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