Not niche: eating disorders as an example in the dangers of overspecialisation

Br J Psychiatry. 2024 Mar;224(3):82-85. doi: 10.1192/bjp.2023.160.

Abstract

Labelling specific psychiatric concerns as 'niche' topics relegated to specialty journals obstructs high-quality research and clinical care for these issues. Despite their severity, eating disorders are under-represented in high-impact journals, underfunded, and under-addressed in psychiatric training. We provide recommendations to stimulate broad knowledge dissemination for under-acknowledged, yet severe, psychiatric disorders.

Keywords: Feeding or eating disorders; anorexia nervosa; bulimia nervosa; comorbidity; education and training.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Anorexia Nervosa* / epidemiology
  • Bulimia Nervosa*
  • Bulimia* / epidemiology
  • Bulimia* / psychology
  • Comorbidity
  • Feeding and Eating Disorders*
  • Humans