Characteristics of patients with bulimia only, bulimia with affective disorder, and bulimia with substance abuse problems

• Published in: Addictive behaviors Vol. 11; no. 4; pp. 399 - 406
• Main Authors: Hatsukami, Dorothy, Mitchell, James E., Eckert, Elke D., Pyle, Richard
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 1986; New York, NY Elsevier
• Subjects: Adult and adolescent clinical studies; Alcoholism - complications; Applied sciences; Biological and medical sciences; Bulimia - complications; Bulimia - diagnosis; Depressive Disorder - complications; Exact sciences and technology; Female; Humans; Medical sciences; Other techniques and industries; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Social Problems; Substance-Related Disorders - complications; Suicide, Attempted; Theft; Bulimia; Human; Affective disorder; Drug abuse; Alimentary behavior disturbance; Comparative study
• ISSN: 0306-4603; 1873-6327
• DOI: 10.1016/0306-4603(86)90018-3

Characteristics of patients with a diagnosis of bulimia only ( N = 46), bulimia with a history of affective disorder ( N = 34), and bulimia with a history of substance abuse ( N = 34) were compared. Results showed that compared to patients with bulimia only or with bulimia and affective disorders, patients with bulimia and substance abuse experienced a higher rate of diuretic use to control weight, financial and work problems, stealing before and after the onset of the eating disorder, previous psychiatric inpatient treatment, and greater amount of alcohol use after the onset of the eating disorder. Both the substance abuse group and affective disorder group showed a higher incidence of attempted suicide, more social problems, and greater overall treatment rate than the bulimia only group. There were no significant differences among groups in their family histories.