Walter H. Kaye, MD

Walter Kaye, MD, is a board-certified psychiatrist who specializes in treating individuals with anorexia nervosa and other eating disorders. As director of the Eating Disorders Treatment and Research Program at UC San Diego Health, Dr. Kaye and his team use an intensive and innovative approach that addresses each person's medical, psychological and psycho-educational health. The evidence-based program also offers family counseling to help patients and their families with improved understanding, communication, and capacity for growth.

Dr. Kaye is a professor in the Department of Psychiatry, where he instructs medical students and residents. His research seeks to understand why individuals develop eating disorders and to use what is learned to develop more effective treatments.

An internationally recognized leader in the field, his research has worked to identify genes that contribute to the development of anorexia and bulimia nervosa. He has also used brain imaging to document pathways associated with anxiety and obsessive behaviors surrounding food and eating. Dr. Kaye has authored and co-authored more than 300 articles and publications.

Prior to joining UC San Diego Health, Dr. Kaye was on faculty at University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, where he was research director of the eating disorder program, and where he received a National Institute of Mental Health senior scientist award.

He completed a residency in psychiatry at the Stewart and Lynda Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital at UCLA and a residency in neurology at LAC+USC Medical Center. Dr. Kaye earned his medical degree from The Ohio State University College of Medicine. He is board-certified in psychiatry.

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For more information, see Behavioral and Mental Health.