Girls with anorexia nervosa often display behaviors linked to autism spectrum traits, such as intense focus on details, systematic thinking, and reduced empathy. These characteristics are hallmarks of autism.
According to research from the University of Cambridge, girls with anorexia are five times more likely to exhibit autistic traits compared to adolescents without the eating disorder.
This finding could guide specialists in developing more effective treatment strategies. While anorexia is commonly viewed as an eating disorder, emerging evidence suggests significant overlaps with the cognitive patterns seen in autism.
