We report four cases of anorexia nervosa (AN) seen over a period of 5 months in the psychiatry unit of a general hospital. The report is unusual because two of the patients were male, all were between 13 and 15 years of age and AN is thought to be rare in Sri Lanka. All four patients had features typical of AN. There are implications for clinical practice in Sri Lanka if the prevalence of AN is rising because all these patients presented to psychiatrists late in their illness, some in an advanced state of weight loss.

Background Adverse impact of child mental disorders on the mental health of mothers is reported from other parts of the world but data is not from South Asia.

Introduction Children are known to display their thoughts and emotions in drawings and storylines. This study attempts to evaluate their clinical usefulness.Objectives To study the correlation between psychological states assessed through drawings and storylines and that assessed medically, in inpatients with psychological problems.Method Drawings and storylines on selected themes produced by children were assessed by nurses on 6 clinical parameters, using guidelines provided to ensure consistency. This data was compared with the medical assessments on same parameters, which was used as the "gold standard".Results Good correlation was found in identification of mood states and emotional distress. Correlation regarding cognitive development and self esteem was less satisfactory.Conclusions Such methods are useful subsidiary tools to medical assessments but caution in interpretation is necessary in some parameters.

No abstract