[The characteristics and mechanism of onset of abnormal eating behavior due to stress or psychosomatic diseases].

Abnormal eating behavior is characterized by two major categories. One, stress-induced abnormal eating behavior, is characterized by abnormality of degree and frequency of diet, which stands for appetite loss or appetite gain. They are connected with psychosocial or somatic stress and show temporary disorder for almost all the people. The other, abnormal eating behavior accompanied with psychosomatic diseases, is characterized by chronically devastated cognition and behavior of diet, which represents Anorexia Nervosa(AN) or Bulimia Nervosa(BN). The characteristics and mechanism of onset of these disorders are generally investigated. Abnormal eating behavior in AN or BN are associated with distorted cognition and adjustment difficulty against stress and psychological problems.