Five-year outcome from eating disorders: relevance of personality disorders

Reciprocal relationships between personality disorders and eating disorders in a prospective 17-year follow-up study

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to report the presence of categorical and dimensional personality disorders (PD) in adults with longstanding eating disorders (ED) over a period of 17 years and to investigate whether changes in PD predict changes in ED symptoms or vice versa.

METHODS

In total, 62 of the 80 living patients (78% response rate) with anorexia nervosa (n = 23), bulimia nervosa (n = 25), or other specified feeding or ED (n = 14) at baseline were evaluated during hospital treatment and at 1-year, 2-year, 5-year, and 17-year follow-up. PD were assessed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis II disorders, and the eating disorder examination (EDE) interview was used to assess ED. Data were analyzed using multilevel modeling.

RESULTS

From baseline to the 17-year follow-up, the number of patients with any PD decreased significantly from 74.2% to 24.2%, and the total number of PD diagnoses declined from 80 to 22. Mean EDE score was significantly reduced from 4.2 (SD: 1.1) to 2.0 (SD: 1.6). There was a positive association between ED and PD where the initial level of either disorder was followed by similar levels of the other disorder throughout the entire follow-up period. High baseline levels of borderline PD predicted less decrease in ED symptoms. No significant within-person effects were found.

CONCLUSIONS

Both ED and PD significantly declined over time. As the severity of either disorder seems to be associated with the other, thorough assessment and treatment that incorporates both the ED psychopathology and the personality disturbances are advisable.

PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

While personality disorders were highly prevalent in the sample of patients with longstanding eating disorders, both disorders were significantly reduced at the 17-year follow-up. The disorders are related in the sense that an initial high level of either disorder is associated with a high level of the other over time. A thorough assessment and attention to both illnesses are advisable in therapy.

CLINICAL TRIAL IDENTIFIER

NCT03968705.

Borderline personality disorder symptoms in individuals with eating disorder: Association with severity, psychological distress, and psychosocial function

We aimed to determine the prevalence of borderline personality disorder (BPD) symptoms in a sample of eating disorder (ED) outpatients and assess how BPD symptoms correlate with severity, distress, and function. A total of 119 individuals were assessed and divided into high BPD symptoms (H-BPD) and low BPD symptoms (L-BPD) using a cut-off score of seven on the McLean Screening for Borderline Personality Disorder (MSI-BPD). Groups were compared on ED diagnosis, age at ED onset, age at assessment, illness duration, body mass index (BMI), ED symptomatology, psychological distress, and psychosocial function. Correlation analyses were performed to assess the relationship between BPD symptoms and these variables. The 45.4% of the participants scored ≥7 on the MSI-BPD, indicating a diagnosis of BPD. There were no differences between the H-BPD (N = 54) and L-BPD (N = 65) groups on age at onset, age at assessment, duration of illness, BMI, or proportion of ED diagnosis. The H-BPD group reported significantly higher ED symptomatology, psychological distress, and poorer psychosocial functioning. MSI-BPD scores were positively associated with these variables. This study suggests a high prevalence of BPD symptoms within outpatients seeking ED treatment, and use of a brief screening instrument for BPD in this group may contribute to a greater understanding of the patient.

The Mediator Effect of Personality on the Relationship Between Symptomatic Impairment and Treatment Outcome in Eating Disorders

Features of personality disorders (PDs) have been found to explain meaningful variance in the onset, maintenance, and symptomatic presentation of eating disorders (EDs), and a co-occurent personality pathology is commonly associated with poorer response to ED treatment. The "pathoplasty model" of the relationship between personality and EDs implies that, once both conditions are established, they are likely to interact in ways that modify therapy outcome; however, to date, no studies have explored overall personality functioning, and especially PD clusters, as a mediator of treatment outcome. The present study aimed at conjointly exploring the associations between personality functioning and PDs, respectively, with pre-treatment ED symptomatic impairment and therapy outcome; and the mediating role of personality variables. At treatment onset, a sample of 107 women with ED problems were evaluated using both the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID-5-CV) and the Shedler-Westen Assessment Procedure-200 (SWAP-200)-a clinician-rated procedure to dimensionally assess personality. Participants were also asked to complete self-report questionnaires on overall ED symptomatology, symptoms of binge eating and purging behaviors, and therapy outcome. The findings showed that, over and above the categorical ED diagnosis, the SWAP-200 healthy personality functioning score mediated the relationship between baseline ED symptom severity and therapy outcome, as well as the association between baseline bulimic symptoms and treatment outcome; furthermore, SWAP-200 Cluster B PD scores mediated the link between baseline binge eating and purging symptoms and therapy outcome, whereas scores in Clusters A and C showed no significant effects. The findings suggest that personality-based outcome research may improve treatment effectiveness in this difficult-to-treat population.

Impact of comorbid borderline personality disorder on the outcome of inpatient treatment for anorexia nervosa: a retrospective chart review

BACKGROUND

Data on patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) and comorbid Borderline personality disorder (AN+BPD) are scarce. Therefore, we investigated (1) whether patients with AN and AN+BPD differ in characteristics related to admission to, discharge from, and course of specialized inpatient eating disorder treatment and (2) how comorbid BPD affects treatment outcome.

METHOD

One-thousand one-hundred and sixty inpatients with AN (97.2% female, 5.9% with comorbid BPD; mean age = 26.15, SD = 9.41) were administered the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), the Eating Disorder Inventory 2 (EDI-2), and the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) at admission and discharge. Data were extracted by a retrospective chart review of naturalistic treatment data. Age, sex, weekly weight gain, length of stay, and discharge characteristics were compared with independent t-tests and χ2-tests. Changes in outcome variables, including body mass index (BMI), were analyzed with longitudinal multilevel mixed-effects models.

RESULTS

No differences in age or sex were found between patients with AN and AN+BPD, but groups differed in previous inpatient treatments, BMI at admission, and frequency of at least one additional comorbidity with higher values for AN+BPD. Higher levels of disorder-specific and general psychopathology at admission were found for AN+BPD. Patients with AN showed statistically significant improvement in all examined variables, patients with AN+BPD improved in all variables except EDI-2 body dissatisfaction. Strongest improvements in patients with AN+BPD occurred in BMI (Cohen's d = 1.08), EDI-2 total score (Cohen's d = 0.99), EDI-2 interpersonal distrust (d = 0.84). Significant Group x Time Interactions were observed for BSI GSI, GAF, and EDI-2 body dissatisfaction, indicating a reduced benefit from inpatient treatment in AN+BPD. At discharge, no differences were found in weekly weight gain, BMI, length of stay, or discharge characteristics (e.g., ability to work, reason for discharge), however, patients with AN+BPD were more frequently treated with medication.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with AN+BPD differ from patients with AN in that they show higher general and specific eating disorder psychopathology and only partially improve under specialized inpatient treatment. In particular, aspects of emotion regulation and core AN symptoms like body dissatisfaction and perfectionism need to be even more targeted in comorbid patients.

Does interpersonal dependency affect therapeutic outcome? A meta-analytic review

This study examined whether interpersonal dependency affects therapeutic outcome, using meta-analytic techniques to synthesize results from 31 studies (49 effect sizes; overall N = 3807). High levels of dependency were associated with more positive outcome in psychodynamic therapy (r = 0.11, p < 0.05), but not cognitive-behavioural therapy (r = -0.05, ns), and were associated with a less positive outcome in pharmacological treatment (r = -0.15, p < 0.001). Other predictors of outcome included patient diagnosis (high levels of dependency were linked with more positive outcome for patients with anxiety disorders but not those with depression), outcome measure (high levels of dependency were associated with significantly greater improvement in global functioning but not symptom reduction) and dependency measure (cognitive and cognitive-behavioural dependency scales yielded less positive results than other types of measures). These results contribute to a growing body of literature examining effects of personality on treatment process and outcome. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Associations of borderline personality disorder traits with stressful events and emotional reactivity in women with bulimia nervosa

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) traits are common among those with bulimia nervosa (BN). However, how these traits impact the state experience of precipitants of BN behavior, such as stressful events and emotional reactivity, has not been determined. Thus, the purpose of this naturalistic study was to examine this trait-state association in BN. Women with DSM-IV BN (N = 133) completed a baseline measure of personality pathology traits, and subsequently recorded their affective state and the frequency and perception of 3 types of stressful events (interpersonal, work/environment, and daily hassles) several times per day for 2 weeks using ecological momentary assessment (EMA). Pearson correlations assessed the associations between BPD traits (affective lability, identity problems, insecure attachment, and cognitive dysregulation) and (a) frequency of stressful events and (b) perception of stressful events. Generalized linear models (GLM) were used to evaluate the relationship between BPD traits and changes in negative affect following stressful events. Results revealed that while all traits were significantly associated with perceived stressfulness, certain BPD traits were significantly associated with the frequency of stressful events. Individuals with higher trait insecure attachment experienced larger increases in negative affect following interpersonal stressful events. These findings suggest that interventions focused on addressing stressful events and enhancing adaptive emotional responses to interpersonal events may be particularly useful for a subset of individuals with BN with BPD-related personality characteristics, including insecure attachment, affective lability, and identity problems. (PsycINFO Database Record

Focused vs. Broad enhanced cognitive behavioral therapy for bulimia nervosa with comorbid borderline personality: A randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

A subset of individuals with bulimia nervosa (BN) have borderline personality disorder (BPD) symptoms, including chronic negative affect and interpersonal problems. These symptoms predict poor BN treatment outcome in some studies. The broad version of Enhanced Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT-E) was developed to address co-occurring problems that interfere with treatment response. The current study investigated the relative effects, predictors, and moderators of CBT-E for BN with BPD and co-occurring mood/anxiety disorders.

METHOD

Fifty patients with BN and threshold or sub-threshold BPD and current or recent Axis I mood or anxiety disorders were randomly assigned to receive focused CBT-E (CBT-Ef) or broad CBT-E (CBT-Eb) specifically including an interpersonal module and additional attention to mood intolerance.

RESULTS

Forty-two percent of the sample reported remission from binge eating and purging at termination. Significant changes across symptom domains were observed at termination and at 6-month follow-up. Though CBT-Ef predicted good outcomes in multivariate models, the severity of affective/interpersonal problems moderated treatment effects: participants with higher severity showed better ED outcomes in CBT-Eb, whereas those with lower severity showed better outcomes in CBT-Ef. Severity of affective/interpersonal BPD symptoms at baseline predicted negative outcomes overall. Follow-up BPD affective/interpersonal problems were predicted by baseline affective/interpersonal problems and by termination EDE score.

DISCUSSION

This study supports the utility of CBT-E for patients with BN and complex comorbidity. CBT-Ef appears to be more efficacious for patients with relatively less severe BPD symptoms, whereas CBT-Eb appears to be more efficacious for patients with more severe BPD symptoms.

Factors associated with recovery from anorexia nervosa

Previous studies of prognostic factors of anorexia nervosa (AN) course and recovery have followed clinical populations after treatment discharge. This retrospective study examined the association between prognostic factors--eating disorder features, personality traits, and psychiatric comorbidity--and likelihood of recovery in a large sample of women with AN participating in a multi-site genetic study. The study included 680 women with AN. Recovery was defined as the offset of AN symptoms if the participant experienced at least one year without any eating disorder symptoms of low weight, dieting, binge eating, and inappropriate compensatory behaviors. Participants completed a structured interview about eating disorders features, psychiatric comorbidity, and self-report measures of personality. Survival analysis was applied to model time to recovery from AN. Cox regression models were used to fit associations between predictors and the probability of recovery. In the final model, likelihood of recovery was significantly predicted by the following prognostic factors: vomiting, impulsivity, and trait anxiety. Self-induced vomiting and greater trait anxiety were negative prognostic factors and predicted lower likelihood of recovery. Greater impulsivity was a positive prognostic factor and predicted greater likelihood of recovery. There was a significant interaction between impulsivity and time; the association between impulsivity and likelihood of recovery decreased as duration of AN increased. The anxiolytic function of some AN behaviors may impede recovery for individuals with greater trait anxiety.

An intensive DBT program for patients with multidiagnostic eating disorder presentations: a case series analysis

OBJECTIVE

This study presents case-series data on a novel outpatient program that blends dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) with standard eating disorder (ED) interventions (i.e., food exposure, weight monitoring, cognitive modification, ED psychoeducation) for patients with complex and multidiagnostic ED presentations.

METHOD

Quantitative and qualitative data was collected on a sample of seven consecutively admitted women who presented with a severe ED, a history of several failed treatment attempts, pervasive emotion dysregulation, and significant Axis I or II psychiatric comorbidity (e.g., PTSD, borderline personality disorder).

RESULTS

Treatment was associated with reductions in ED symptoms, suicidal and self-injurious behaviors, treatment interfering behaviors, psychiatric and medical hospitalizations, and clinician burnout.

DISCUSSION

Overall, the results suggest that this blended DBT/cognitive behavior therapy for ED treatment model is a promising intervention for this complex and "hard to treat" population.

Dimensional measures of personality as a predictor of outcome at 5-year follow-up in women with bulimia nervosa

Dimensional models are commonly used as a supplement to the categorical model within the field of personality disorders. The purpose of this study was to examine personality dimensions as predictors of 5-year outcomes among women with bulimia nervosa. One hundred and thirty-four women with bulimia nervosa participated in a randomised psychotherapy treatment trial. Data was available for 109 out of the 134 participants at follow-up. Outcomes were the presence of any eating disorder (past year), the presence of a mood disorder episode (past year), and the global assessment of functioning at 5-year follow-up. Self-directedness was the only predictor of any eating disorder diagnosis (past year) at 5-year follow-up. Asceticism significantly predicted the presence of a mood disorder episode (past year) at 5 years. Borderline personality disorder symptoms predicted global functioning at 5 years. These results suggest that high self-directedness at pre-treatment may offer potential prognostic information regarding eating disorder status 5 years post-treatment. Furthermore, no single measure predicted outcome for all variables (any eating disorder diagnosis, a mood disorder episode (past year), or global functioning) at 5-year follow-up. This suggests that a comprehensive personality assessment using multiple measures is desirable for predicting outcomes.

Complex personality disorder in bulimia nervosa

OBJECTIVE

Recent research has suggested a move toward a dimensional system for the classification of personality disorders (PDs). Tyrer's dimensional model using severity as a form of categorizing PDs was used to compare eating disorder outcome in women with bulimia nervosa (BN) over 3 years.

METHOD

One hundred thirty-four women with BN were divided into 4 groups based on PD severity: no PD (n = 32), personality difficulty (n = 27), simple PD (n = 29), and complex PD (n = 46). Eating disorder symptoms and attitudes, general psychosocial functioning, and depressive symptoms were examined at pretreatment and at 1-year and 3-year follow-up (posttreatment).

RESULTS

The complex PD group had greater Axis I comorbidity and psychopathology than the remaining 3 groups at pretreatment. At 1-year and 3-year follow-up, there were no differences in eating disorder outcome, general psychosocial functioning, and depressive symptoms across the 4 groups.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that having an increased number of PDs comorbid with BN does not influence eating disorder outcome up to 3 years after treatment.

Does avoidant personality disorder impact on the outcome of treatment for bulimia nervosa?

OBJECTIVE

To examine the impact of avoidant personality disorder (AVPD) on bulimia nervosa (BN) treatment outcome over 3 years.

METHOD

Women with BN were participating in a randomized treatment trial. The sample was split into: AVPD (n = 37), other PD (n = 37), and no PD (n = 60). Eating disorder symptomatology, depressive symptoms and psychosocial functioning were examined at pretreatment and follow-up. Multiple regression was conducted to control for high axis I comorbidity.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences across the groups at pretreatment or follow-up on eating disorder symptoms. AVPD had worse depressive symptoms and psychosocial functioning at pretreatment which continued 3 years post-treatment. Multiple regression analyses revealed that the presence of any lifetime mood disorder contributed to these significant results.

DISCUSSION

These findings suggest AVPD is not a significant predictor of BN outcome. However, AVPD is associated with poorer psychiatric symptoms although much of this variance appears to be attributable to the lifetime presence of any mood disorder.

Differential Treatment Response for Eating Disordered Patients With and Without a Comorbid Borderline Personality Diagnosis Using a Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)-Informed Approach

Studies have reported conflicting findings regarding the impact on treatment for eating disorder patients comorbidly diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. The current investigation sought to investigate whether individuals diagnosed with an eating disorder vs. those comorbidly diagnosed with an eating disorder and borderline personality disorder differ on measures of eating disorders symptoms and/or general distress over the course of treatment. In light of the success of DBT in treating individuals diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, a group known to have considerable difficulties in regulating affect, the current study also sought to examine whether these two groups would differ on expectancies to regulate affect over the course of DBT-informed treatment. Results indicated that while a comorbid diagnosis of borderline personality disorder did not impact eating disorder treatment outcomes, those comorbidly diagnosed did present overall with higher levels of general distress and psychological disturbance. With respect to affect regulation, results indicated that at the beginning of treatment, eating disordered individuals who carried a comorbid diagnosis of BPD were significantly less able to regulate affect than patients without a comorbid borderline diagnosis. However, at the end of treatment there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups. The role of affect regulation in treating eating disordered individuals with a comorbid borderline personality disorder diagnosis is discussed.

Impact of borderline personality disorder on bulimia nervosa

OBJECTIVE

The primary aim of the present study was to examine whether the presence of borderline personality disorder (BPD) adversely impacted on outcome 3 years after treatment among women with bulimia nervosa (BN), in comparison to those women with either other personality disorders (other PD) or no personality disorder (no PD).

METHOD

Participants were 134 women who received cognitive behaviour therapy for BN. The sample was divided into three groups: BPD (n=38), other PD (n=37), and no PD (n=59). Eating disorder (ED) symptoms and attitudes, and personality traits were examined at pretreatment assessment, 1 year and 3 year follow up.

RESULTS

At pretreatment assessment the BPD group had higher purging frequency, more comorbidity and poorer general functioning than the other PD and no PD groups. By 3 year follow up, however, no significant differences were found in ED symptomatology and general functioning among the groups. Pretreatment differences between the BPD and no PD groups on the personality measures of harm avoidance, self-directedness and cooperativeness disappeared over the course of 3 years.

CONCLUSION

Although women with BN and comorbid BPD appear more impaired at pretreatment assessment, they do not have poorer outcome than the other PD and no PD groups. The rate and level of improvement across the groups is not affected by the presence of BPD.

A personality classification system for eating disorders: a longitudinal study

BACKGROUND

Studies of eating disorders (EDs) suggest that empirically derived personality subtypes may explain heterogeneity in ED samples that is not captured by the current diagnostic system. Longitudinal outcomes for personality subtypes have not been examined.

METHOD

In this study, personality pathology was assessed by clinical interview in 213 individuals with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa at baseline. Interview data on EDs, comorbid diagnoses, global functioning, and treatment utilization were collected at baseline and at 6-month follow-up intervals over a median of 9 years.

RESULTS

Q-factor analysis of the participants based on personality items produced a 5-prototype system, including high-functioning, behaviorally dysregulated, emotionally dysregulated, avoidant-insecure, and obsessional-sensitive types. Dimensional prototype scores were associated with baseline functioning and longitudinal outcome. Avoidant-Insecure scores showed consistent associations with poor functioning and outcome, including failure to show ED improvement, poor global functioning after 5 years, and high treatment utilization after 5 years. Behavioral dysregulation was associated with poor baseline functioning but did not show strong associations with ED or global outcome when histories of major depression and substance use disorder were covaried. Emotional dysregulation and obsessional-sensitivity were not associated with negative outcomes. High-functioning prototype scores were consistently associated with positive outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Longitudinal results support the importance of personality subtypes to ED classification.

The course of illness following inpatient treatment of adults with longstanding eating disorders: a 5-year follow-up

OBJECTIVE

The objectives of this article were to study the course and outcome of longstanding eating disorders (ED) 5 years after completing treatment and to identify subgroups of patients with different course and outcome.

METHOD

A total of 77 patients with a mean age of 30 years were assessed at the beginning and end of in-patient therapy and at 1-, 2- and 5-year follow-up, respectively.

RESULTS

Of the 90% who participated in the 5-year follow-up, 46 patients (61%) had improved, and 30 (39%) did not meet diagnostic criteria for an ED. Cluster analysis identified a group of patient with no improvement over time.

CONCLUSION

Overall, the course is favourable, but a subgroup of patients with no improvement over time may need intensified treatment efforts.

Symptom severity and treatment course of bulimic patients with and without a borderline personality disorder

There are contradictory results concerning the frequency of borderline personality disorder (BPD) in bulimic patients and its impact on eating pathology and treatment outcome. We evaluated 240 patients with bulimia nervosa using EDI-2, SIAB and SCL-90-R. Only a minority of patients had a BPD (13.8%). There were no differences in binging or purging behaviour between patients with and without BPD, but borderline patients had significantly more feelings of ineffectiveness and more disturbances in interoceptive awareness. Bulimic patients with BPD showed significantly more general psychopathology. Although, BPD patients started with higher levels of pathology, there were similar reductions of symptoms over the course of treatment in both groups. Psychotherapy in bulimic patients with a BPD has to focus not only on eating pathology but also on aspects that are caused by the severe personality disturbance.

Eating disorders and personality: A methodological and empirical review

Methodological approaches utilized to evaluate models of the relationship between personality and eating disorders, as well as empirical support for each model, are reviewed. Limited prospective research suggests that negative emotionality, perfectionism, drive for thinness, poor interoceptive awareness, ineffectiveness, and obsessive-compulsive personality traits are likely predisposing factors. Limited family study research suggests that obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) and anorexia nervosa share a common familial liability. Potential pathoplastic personality factors include Cluster B personality disorders and OCPD, which predict a poorer course and/or outcome, and histrionic personality traits and self-directedness, which predict a more favorable course and/or outcome. Future research should focus upon sophisticated prospective and family study research in order to best evaluate competing models of the eating disorder-personality relationship.

The interaction of personality disorders and eating disorders: a two-year prospective study of patients with longstanding eating disorders

OBJECTIVE

The current study aimed to investigate the relation between personality disorders and symptoms of both eating disorders and general psychopathology over time.

METHOD

Seventy-four patients, with a mean age of 30 years and admitted to a hospital for treatment of a chronic eating disorder, were assessed using the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI), the Eating Disorder Examination (EDE), the Symptom Check List-90-Revised (SCL-90-R), and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis II disorders (SCID-II) at admission, and after 1 and 2 years.

RESULTS

At the 2-year follow-up, there was considerable reduction in both personality and symptoms (effect size = 0.83-0.94). Panel modeling using structural equation modeling techniques indicated that symptomatic changes generally preceded changes in the personality disorder.

DISCUSSION

Eating disorder symptoms and general symptomatology had direct effects on a dimensional personality disorder index. Thus, personality disorders may be at least partially a consequence of general symptomatology in chronic eating disorders. Symptom improvement appears to precede changes in personality in this sample of patients with chronic eating disorders.

Two-year prospective study of personality disorders in adults with longstanding eating disorders

OBJECTIVE

The current study had three objectives: to report the presence of personality disorders (PDs) in adults with longstanding eating disorders (EDs) at admission to inpatient treatment, and at 1 and 2-year follow-up; to compare the frequency of PDs in anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), and eating disorder not otherwise specified (EDNOS); and to investigate whether recovered patients had lower frequency of PDs.

METHOD

Seventy-four patients with a mean age of 30 years and long-lasting EDs were assessed with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis-II disorders at admission to inpatient treatment, and at 1 and 2-year follow-up.

RESULTS

At admission, 57 patients (77%) had one or more PDs, whereas 42 patients (57%) had one or more PDs at 2-year follow-up No statistically significant differences in frequencies of PDs among patients with AN, BN, and EDNOS were found. Recovered patients had a lower frequency of PDs (p < .01).

DISCUSSION

At 2-year follow-up, there were substantial reductions in the frequency of PDs in patients with long-lasting EDs.

Difficulties in the assessment of personality traits and disorders in eating-disordered individuals

There are compelling reasons to examine personality variables in the eating disorder (ED) field but many impediments to the collection of useful data. In addition to the conceptual and methodological difficulties associated with personality assessment in the general case, the EDs present a number of special problems. These include patients' young age at onset and evaluation, the "state" effects of semi-starvation and chaotic eating, denial and distortion in self-report, the instability of ED subtypes, and the intrusion of eating and weight concerns into a wide range of apparently unrelated domains. Although there is substantial support for the clinical view that personality variables are linked to anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN), the identification of stable traits and Axis II disorders in individual patients should be deferred until after the initial phase of treatment.

Treatment implications of Axis-II comorbidity in eating disorders

In this article, we review the clinical research on the implications of comorbid personality disorders (PDs), pathological personality traits, and the expression and response to treatment of those with eating disorders (EDs) (i.e., anorexia and bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder). Obsessive-compulsive PDs and related traits, such as perfectionism and rigidity, appear to be clear-cut risk and maintenance factors for anorexia nervosa. In bulimia nervosa, trait impulsivity seems to be related to early termination from therapy and, according to at least some indices, poorer responses to treatment. Dramatic-Erratic PD features, generally more characteristic of binge-purge ED variants, clearly predict a protracted course for general psychiatric symptoms, but may have less prognostic value for eating symptoms. Recent guidelines from two influential bodies--the American Psychiatric Association (APA, 2000) and the United Kingdom's National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE, 2004)--both include the concept that "trait-oriented" interventions, targeting personality-linked components like perfectionism, affective instability, impulsivity, and interpersonal disturbances, may optimize treatment effects. In general, the literature supports the recommendation that clinicians should apply well-validated, symptom-focused therapies for the EDs; in addition, clinicians may wish to incorporate trait-focused interventions in patients in whom personality pathology contributes to suboptimal response.

Patterns of personality disorders in women with chronic eating disorders

The aim of this study was to describe patterns of personality disorders (PDs) in women with chronic eating disorders (EDs). An index group of nineteen women who have had EDs for an average of 8.5 years was compared with a control group of same-aged women from the general population. At the time of the study the index group received treatment at a tertiary treatment center in Stockholm. The PDs were assessed using the DSM-IV part of the DSM-IV and ICD-10 Personality Questionnaire (DIP-Q). In the index group, eighteen of nineteen fulfilled the criteria for one or more PD. The number of PD diagnoses for each women ranged from zero (n = 1) to eight (n = 2) with a median of three. Among the controls, only one woman fulfilled the criteria for one or more PD. The most prevalent disorders in the index group were Borderline, Avoidant, and Obsessive-Compulsive. The index group had significantly higher DIP-Q dimensional scores than the controls in the Paranoid, Schizoid, Schizotypal, Borderline, Histrionic, Avoidant, and Dependent scales. Although the assessment of PD symptoms was limited to self-reports, the high prevalence of PD diagnoses and PD symptoms most probably reflects the severe psychiatric impairments in patients suffering from chronic ED.

The natural course of bulimia nervosa and eating disorder not otherwise specified is not influenced by personality disorders

OBJECTIVE

To examine prospectively the natural course of bulimia nervosa (BN) and eating disorder not otherwise specified (EDNOS) and to test the effects of personality disorder (PD) comorbidity on the outcomes.

METHOD

Ninety-two female patients with current BN (N=23) or EDNOS (N=69) were evaluated at baseline enrollment in the Collaborative Longitudinal Personality Disorders Study (CLPS). Eating disorders (EDs) were assessed with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders. Personality disorders (PDs) were assessed with the Diagnostic Interview for DSM-IV PD (DIPD-IV). The course of BN and EDNOS was assessed with the Longitudinal Interval Follow-up Evaluation and the course of PDs was evaluated with the Follow-Along version of the DIPD-IV at 6, 12, and 24 months.

RESULTS

Probability of remission at 24 months was 40% for BN and 59% for EDNOS. To test the effects of PD comorbidity on course, ED patients were divided into groups with no, one, and two or more PDs. Cox proportional regression analyses revealed that BN had a longer time to remission than EDNOS (p<.05). The number of PDs was not a significant predictor of time to remission, nor was the presence of Axis I psychiatric comorbidity or Global Assessment of Functioning scores. Analyses using proportional hazards regression with time-varying covariates revealed that PD instability was unrelated to changes in ED.

CONCLUSIONS

BN has a worse 24-month course (longer time to remission) than EDNOS. The natural course of BN and EDNOS is not influenced significantly by the presence, severity, or time-varying changes of co-occurring PDs, co-occurring Axis I disorders, or by global functioning.

MCMI-II profiles of women with eating disorders: a cluster analytic investigation

A three-factor model of personality pathology was investigated in a clinical sample of 183 female patients in an outpatient eating disorders treatment program. Cluster analysis of MCMI-II personality scales (Millon, 1987) yielded three distinct personality profiles, which were consistent with previous studies. First, 16.9% of the sample comprised a High Functioning cluster, which manifested no clinical elevations on the MCMI-II and had significantly lower scores on the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI; Garner; 1991) scales than the other two clusters. Second, 49.1% of the sample comprised an Undercontrolled/Dysregulated cluster. Finally, the remaining 34% of the sample comprised an Overcontrolled/Avoidant cluster. This final cluster had significantly higher EDI Ineffectiveness scale scores than the Undercontrolled/Dysregulated cluster group. Cluster membership was not associated with eating disorder subtype, suggesting that there is considerable variance in personality pathology within eating disorder diagnostic categories.

Does concurrent psychopathology at presentation influence response to treatment for bulimia nervosa?

Pub Med and Psych Lit were searched using the key terms 'outcome' and 'bulimia nervosa' for papers on outcome and bulimia nervosa (BN). The studies which examined any aspect of psychopathology are included and the findings reviewed. No robust findings emerged. This paper reviews the methodological problems that beset this area, and then examines in detail the relationship between other psychological dysfunctions and psychiatric co-morbidity and treatment outcome for BN. The psychological variables that most probably predict poorer outcome are low self-esteem, and low satisfaction with or perceived quality of friendships. With regard to psychiatric co-morbidity, there is no consistent relationship with any Axis I disorder. Most of the studies assessing Axis II dysfunction show that borderline symptom severity or cluster B personality disorder can impair outcome. The implications for clinical practice are discussed and directions for future research suggested.

Recent research of relationships among eating disorders and personality disorders

This review focuses on recent research examining the relationships among eating disorders (ED) and personality disorders (PD). Studies that have examined rates of PD in patients with ED and rates of ED in patients with PD have generally reported high rates of diagnostic co-occurrence, although the marked inconsistency and variability in rates across studies is striking. Methodologic limitations and conceptual problems make interpretation of the existing literature ambiguous. Overall, circumspect review suggests that anorexia nervosa may be associated with obsessional and perfectionistic forms of personality disturbances, bulimia nervosa with impulsive and unstable personality disturbances, and binge eating disorder with avoidant and anxious forms of personality disturbances. In terms of longitudinal associations, PD may be more closely associated with the course of general psychiatric or psychosocial functioning than with fluctuations in the course of ED. The significance (and more precise nature) of these associations, however, is unclear and will require sophisticated longitudinal studies to arrive at more definitive answers.

Core beliefs and bulimic symptomatology in non-eating-disordered women: the mediating role of borderline characteristics

OBJECTIVE

To establish whether borderline personality disorder symptoms play a mediating role in the relationship between early maladaptive schemata and bulimic symptomatology, using a nonclinical sample.

METHOD

Sixty-one female undergraduate students completed the Bulimic Investigatory Test, Edinburgh (BITE), the Borderline Syndrome Index (BSI), and the short form of the Young Schema Questionnaire (YSQ).

RESULTS

Borderline symptoms were found to be a perfect mediator in the relationship between defectiveness/shame beliefs and bulimic symptomatology.

CONCLUSIONS

A model is proposed suggesting that the functional utility of bulimic behaviors might be in counteracting the negative emotions associated with borderline symptoms.

Prognostic value of duration of illness and early intervention in bulimia nervosa: a systematic review of the outcome literature

OBJECTIVE

Early intervention is often regarded as an important step for the prevention of a chronic eating disorder. The primary aim of this review was to systematically evaluate the outcome literature and to better describe the effects of early intervention on the course of bulimia nervosa.

METHOD

Twenty-four follow-up studies were subjected to nine "best-evidence" criteria for methodological soundness. Of these 24 studies, 5 met all methodological criteria and were considered in more detail.

RESULTS

Only one of these five studies found a significant association between duration of illness and outcome. These studies were re-examined to exclude studies that included patients who were not first admissions in order to distinguish between the effect of duration of illness versus early intervention. This re-examination excluded four of the five studies, and the remaining study provided no data regarding prior treatment.

DISCUSSION

Based on this selection of studies, it was concluded that there is no consistent evidence to support that early intervention necessarily implies a better long-term outcome. Due to the multiple methodological problems that plague follow-up studies, future research would be improved by employing designs that directly test the impact of early versus late intervention.

Unterschiede zwischen jugendlichen Patientinnen mit Anorexia und Bulimia nervosa im Hinblick auf psychologische und psychosoziale Merkmale

Zusammenfassung: Fragestellung: Die Studie widmet sich der Frage, inwieweit sich jugendliche Patientinnen mit Anorexia und Bulimia nervosa in psychologischen Merkmalen und Lebensverhältnissen unterscheiden. Methode: Die Krankengeschichten von 140 Patientinnen (110 mit Anorexia nervosa und 30 mit Bulimia nervosa), die in den Jahren 1982 bis 1992 in der Klinik für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie der Universität Würzburg stationär behandelt wurden, wurden im Rahmen einer retrospektiven Studie ausgewertet. Alle Patientinnen erfüllen die Kriterien nach ICD-10 für Anorexia- oder Bulimia nervosa. Daten aus der Basis-Dokumentation und aus der multiaxialen Klassifikation (MAS) wurden herangezogen, standardisierte Verfahren wie der Anis-32, MMPI, BDI, HAWIK-R und HAWIE kamen zur Auswertung. Die Ergebnisse zeigen signifikante Unterschiede zwischen den beiden Stichproben. Das häufigste Alter bei erster stationärer Aufnahme war bei anorektischen Patientinnen 14,5 und bei bulimischen Patientinnen 16,5 Jahre. Die störungsspezifischen Symptome betreffend unterschieden sich die beiden Stichproben hinsichtlich ihres Essverhaltens im Faktor Bulimie des Anis-32. Beim Vergleich der Persönlichkeitsmerkmale beschrieben sich die anorektischen Patientinnen im MMPI weniger psychopathisch als die Bulimia nervosa Patientinnen. Im BDI war die depressive Symptomatik bei Anorexia nervosa als klinisch relevant einzustufen. Andere Charakteristika der anorektischen Patientinnen waren ein überdurchschnittlicher IQ, Überfürsorglichkeit innerhalb der familiären Beziehungen, vermehrte Trennungsängste und Kontaktstörungen in der Schule. Im Vergleich dazu zeigten die bulimischen Patientinnen häufiger Leistungs- und Disziplinierungsschwierigkeiten in der Schule, innerhalb der Familie wurde das Kontaktverhalten und die Kommunikation beeinträchtigter als bei Familien anorektischer Patientinnen erlebt.

Persönlichkeitsstörungen und psychiatrische Morbidität im Verlauf der adoleszenten Anorexia nervosa

Zusammenfassung: Fragestellung: Es war das Ziel der vorliegenden prospektiven Studie, den Verlauf der Essstörungssymptomatik und die psychiatrische (Ko-)Morbidität einschließlich der Persönlichkeitsstörungen bei jugendlichen Patienten, die die DSM-III-R-Kriterien für Anorexia nervosa erfüllten, in regelmäßigen Zeitabständen zu untersuchen. Zehn Jahre nach Entlassung konnten alle 39 Patienten (100%) sowie eine in Bezug auf Alter, Geschlecht und beruflichen Status parallelisierte Kontrollgruppe persönlich nachuntersucht werden.Methodik: Zur Erfassung der Essstörungssymptomatik wurde das Standardisierte Interview für Anorexia und Bulimia nervosa verwandt, das Composite International Diagnostic Interview für die Diagnostik der psychiatrischen (Ko-)Morbidität und das Strukturierte Klinische Interview für Persönlichkeitsstörungen. Ergebnisse: Im Vergleich zu der Kontrollgruppe litten zum Nachuntersuchungszeitpunkt signifikant mehr Patienten an einer psychiatrischen Störung, vorwiegend an einer Angststörung, affektiven Erkrankung oder Drogen- bzw. Alkoholabusus. Bei annähernd einem Viertel der Patienten wurden Persönlichkeitsstörungen, vorwiegend aus dem ängstlich-vermeidenden Formenkreis des DSM-III-R diagnostiziert.Schlussfolgerungen: Unsere Befunde weisen darauf hin, dass die Anorexia nervosa keine auf die Pubertät beschränkte, entwicklungsbedingte Erkrankung ist, sondern sowohl im Querschnitt als auch im Längsschnitt mit anderen psychiatrischen Erkrankungen assoziiert ist.

Personality disorders among subjects recovered from eating disorders

OBJECTIVE

Personality disorders are common in symptomatic eating disorders subjects. Because personality symptoms could be exaggerated by malnutrition or Axis I disorders, we studied women who had recovered from eating disorders for at least 1 year to see if personality disorder symptoms persisted in the well state.

METHOD

Personality disorders were evaluated in 10 women recovered from anorexia nervosa (AN), 28 women recovered from bulimia nervosa (BN), and 16 women recovered from AN and BN, using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R personality disorders.

RESULTS

Fourteen of 54 subjects (26%) met the criteria for at least one personality disorder, such as self-defeating, obsessive-compulsive, or borderline personality disorder. Cluster B personality disorders were closely associated with bulimic subtypes.

CONCLUSIONS

While a recovery from eating disorders may have an attenuating influence on the symptoms of personality disorders, such personality disorder diagnoses persist after recovery in some recovered subjects.

A longitudinal study of the role of childhood temperament in the later development of eating concerns

OBJECTIVE

This study examined the relationship between childhood temperament and the later development of eating and body concerns in early adolescent children.

METHOD

The Australian Temperament Project has followed a cohort of children from birth, assessing temperament factors such as Negative Emotionality, Persistence, Approach/Withdrawal, and Activity. Using a longitudinal design, the study reports on the relationship between temperament measured from infancy onward and eating and body concerns at 12-13 years of age. Participants (597 girls, 631 boys) completed the Eating Disorders Inventory subscales Drive For Thinness, Body Dissatisfaction, and Bulimia, and an estimate of their current size. Parents described their child's temperament and body size.

RESULTS

High Negative Emotionality and low Persistence were the factors most associated with risk status over time, particularly in girls.

DISCUSSION

While it is unlikely that temperamental characteristics per se lead to disordered eating, it is argued that in combination with other risk factors, certain temperamental characteristics may increase vulnerability.

State/trait distinctions in bulimic syndromes

OBJECTIVE

This study compared 55 women with active bulimic symptoms, 18 in remission from a bulimic eating disorder, and 31 who showed no evidence of a past or present eating disorder, on selected personality and psychiatric features.

METHOD

Discriminant function analyses were used to isolate dimensions that differentiated active patients from patients in remission, and controls (i.e., that would logically constitute "state"-related disturbances), and then dimensions that differentiated clinical cases (whether active or in remission) from non-eating-disordered controls (i.e., that might reflect stable trait pathology associated with bulimic syndromes, whether active or not).

RESULTS

Measures of depression, suicidality, and anxiety loaded significantly on the first function (differentiating active bingers from all other cases), whereas narcissism differentiated both clinical groups from non-eating-disordered controls.

DISCUSSION

In light of theoretical and empirical evidence stressing the etiological role of narcissistic disturbances in bulimic syndromes, we interpret our findings as suggesting that narcissim may be a common trait characteristic (persisting even after remission of bulimic symptoms) in those who develop bulimic eating syndromes. Alternatively, depression, suicidality, and anxiety appear to be state-dependent features that resolve in many cases, along with remission of bulimic symptoms. We discuss various clinical and theoretical implications of our findings.

[Not Available]

OBJECTIVE

The present study examines the question of whether concomitant narcissistic self-disorders indicate a poorer prognosis in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN).

METHOD

Ninety-one female inpatients who met the DSMIV criteria fo AN or BN were investigated during inpatient treatment by using: a semistructured diagnostic interview, the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI), the Narcissism Inventory (NI), the Hamburg Obsession-Compulsion Inventory, and the Inventory of Interpersonal Problems (IIP). The patients were divided into two groups: those with and those without narcissistic self-disorders as measured by the NI. Seventy-five patients were assessed at follow-up thirty months after discharge.

RESULTS

Fifty-one percent of the follow-up group no longer fulfilled the DSM-IV criteria for AN or BN, and there was no significant correlation with the earlier presence of concomitant narcissistic self-disorders. At follow-up, patients with narcissistic self-disorders had significantly more pathological mean scores than patients without such disorders on four of the eight EDI scales and on four of the eight IIP scales. ANOVA for repeated measures revealed significant improvement over time on seven of the eight EDI scales in both groups. However, significant group-by-time interactions demonstrated that patients with narcissistic self-disorders had improved more over time than patients without selfdisturbances. Furthermore, the obsessive-compulsive Symptoms of those patients with narcissistic self-disorders who no longer fulfilled DSM-IV criteria for AN or BN had significantly decreased.

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicate that the improvement of eating disorder Symptoms corresponds to a decrease in obsessive-compulsive Symptoms. In addition, there is a certain degree of independence between the severity of narcissistic self-disorders and the outcome of AN or BN. The results suggest that concomitant narcissistic self-disorders do not indicate a significantly poorer prognosis in patients with AN and BN.

Dimensional assessment of personality pathology in patients with eating disorders

This study examined patients with eating disorders on personality pathology using a dimensional method. Female subjects who met DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for eating disorder (n = 136) were evaluated and compared to an age-controlled general population sample (n = 68). We assessed 18 features of personality disorder with the Dimensional Assessment of Personality Pathology - Basic Questionnaire (DAPP-BQ). Factor analysis and cluster analysis were used to derive three clusters of patients. A five-factor solution was obtained with limited intercorrelation between factors. Cluster analysis produced three clusters with the following characteristics: Cluster 1 members (constituting 49.3% of the sample and labelled 'rigid') had higher mean scores on factors denoting compulsivity and interpersonal difficulties; Cluster 2 (18.4% of the sample) showed highest scores in factors denoting psychopathy, neuroticism and impulsive features, and appeared to constitute a borderline psychopathology group; Cluster 3 (32.4% of the sample) was characterized by few differences in personality pathology in comparison to the normal population sample. Cluster membership was associated with DSM-IV diagnosis -- a large proportion of patients with anorexia nervosa were members of Cluster 1. An empirical classification of eating-disordered patients derived from dimensional assessment of personality pathology identified three groups with clinical relevance.

Sexual abuse in eating disorder subtypes and control women: the role of comorbid substance dependence in bulimia nervosa

OBJECTIVE

The relationship between sexual abuse and eating disorders remains uncertain. Recent data have raised the possibility of differential rates of sexual abuse among subtypes of eating disorders.

METHODS

We studied women with three subtypes of eating disorders: (1) 26 anorexia nervosa subjects (AN); (2) 20 bulimia nervosa subjects with comorbid substance dependence (BN + SDD); and (3) 27 bulimia nervosa subjects without substance dependence (BN - SDD). We compared women with these eating disorder subtypes to 44 control women (CW). Sexual abuse rates and diagnoses were assessed through direct structured interviews.

RESULTS

We found an order effect for sexual abuse which was most common (65%) in BN + SDD subjects, followed by a rate of 37% in BN - SDD subjects and 23% in AN subjects. Subjects of all eating disorder subtypes had significantly higher rates of sexual abuse compared to a rate of 7% in CW subjects.

DISCUSSION

Women with BN + SDD had the highest frequency and the most severe history of sexual abuse. However, the causal relationship between eating disorders and sexual abuse remains to be elucidated.

Outcome of bulimia nervosa: prognostic indicators

Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder that is growing in prevalence in Western societies, and affecting more people at a younger age. Requests for treatment are creating serious problems for mental health services, making it necessary to establish appropriate treatment guidelines aimed at increasing the effectiveness of clinical interventions and guaranteeing a rational therapeutic approach. For this reason, research on predictive factors of the outcome of bulimia nervosa has greatly increased in recent years. This article reviews this recent research and discusses the most prevalent clinical findings, grouping them into three specific categories: individual, environmental, and therapeutic factors. The main methodological problems for assessing the outcome of bulimia nervosa are also discussed, and some measures for increasing the reliability of the research are proposed.

Coming alive: the psychotherapeutic treatment of patients with eating disorders

OBJECTIVE

To describe a dynamic psychotherapeutic approach specifically developed for women with eating disorders.

METHOD

The developmental origins and psychological disturbances associated with eating disorders are outlined based on a review of the literature and the authors' observations. Principles from contemporary psychodynamic theories that focus on subjectivity and intersubjectivity are applied to the treatment of women with eating disorders and are illustrated with clinical vignettes. Theoretical models employed include intersubjective and relational theory, self psychology, and feminist psychodynamic theory.

RESULTS

Relative unresponsiveness to a child's subjective experience and to child-initiated cues are thought to contribute to psychological disturbances among women with eating disorders. These disturbances include impairment in the sense of effectiveness, in the capacity to appreciate and tolerate emotions, and in the continuity and cohesiveness of self-experience. Self-imposed starvation, binge-purge episodes, and excessive exercise may act as psychic organizers in women with these vulnerabilities. An active psychotherapeutic approach with sustained interest in the patient's authentic subjective experience promotes the identification, organization, and integration of emotional experience and the consolidation of a more differentiated sense of self.

CONCLUSION

In the psychotherapeutic treatment of women with eating disorders, a therapeutic posture of sustained empathic enquiry contributes to the patient's curiosity about her own subjective world. Feeling understood in a therapeutic relationship and feeling assisted in organizing and understanding one's subjective experience contributes to the gradual unfolding of the psychological sense of self.

Comparison of alternative treatment techniques in bulimia: the chemical dependency approach

Bulimia and chemical dependency are thought to be mediated by the nucleus accumbens, the primary pleasure center in the brain. These disorders consequently share biological, behavioral, and demographic characteristics. Also, earlier researchers have reported similar responses to different types of pharmacological intervention. There has, however, been little investigation of comparative nonpharmacological treatment modalities. The authors treated 10 white bulimic females in an eating-disorders program and a similar group in a 12-step chemical dependency center. Outcomes were similar for the weight-management program and for scores on the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale. Implications are discussed.

Relationship of childhood sexual abuse and eating disorders

OBJECTIVE

To review the literature that has examined the relationship between childhood sexual abuse and the eating disorders.

METHOD

Each of the five authors reviewed all identified empirical studies to be certain that inclusion/exclusion criteria were met. Two teams of raters then independently reviewed each study to determine whether it supported any of a series of six hypotheses that had been tested in this literature.

RESULTS

This review indicates that childhood sexual abuse is a nonspecific risk factor for bulimia nervosa, particularly when there is psychiatric comorbidity. There is some indication that childhood sexual abuse is more strongly associated with bulimic disorders than restricting anorexia, but it does not appear to be associated with severity of the disturbance.

CONCLUSION

Childhood sexual abuse is a risk factor for bulimia nervosa with significant comorbidity. Further study of the nature of this relationship is warranted.

Histories of childhood trauma and complex post-traumatic sequelae in women with eating disorders

The profound self-destructiveness and tenacity of eating disorders found among women abused and neglected in childhood become comprehensible when understood within a complex posttraumatic conceptualization as desperate attempts to regulate overwhelming affective states and construct a coherent sense of self and system of meaning. Trauma leads to the predictable consequences of dysregulation of the arousal system, avoidance, and constriction of affect; coherence of self and world are shattered. Abused patients' childhood experiences teach them that to need is to expose oneself to the pain of abandonment and betrayal at the hands of individuals responsible for their care. Consequently, needs-psychological, physical, and spiritual-come to be perceived as dangerous, and human relationships are simultaneously yearned for and feared. Robbed of the opportunity to develop a cohesive self and a coherent system of meaning and faith to sustain from within, the traumatized eating-disorder patient turns to the culture to tell her who to be and how to live; she learns that to conquer rather than satisfy needs and to be "in control" (an internal state of equanimity manifested externally in a thin body) will bring meaning and purpose. Binge eating, purging, and starving become apt metaphors for the boundless hunger, the wish to fulfill needs together with the wish to rid oneself forever of need, the desire to "purify" the damaged psychic and physical self, and the hope of restoring meaning. The treatment of the traumatized eating disorder patient is complex. Individual therapy provides the opportunity for intensive relational work that begins to restore faith in human connection and that provides a "safe base" from which to examine the trauma and separate past from present. Therapy groups for eating-disordered women and trauma survivors provide relief from isolation, valuable perspectives from others who have "been there," and the opportunity to contribute to others' healing as one heals. Ultimately, these patients must be willing to leave the world of obsession with food and weight, which guarantees safety from interpersonal hurt while it simultaneously guarantees that hope will not be restored. Though reconnecting with humanity carries the risk of further pain, it opens up the opportunity for connection, healing, and growth.

Reported sexual abuse and eating psychopathology: a review of the evidence for a causal link

It has been claimed that there is no specific link between a reported history of sexual abuse and the eating disorders. In particular, studies and reviews investigating the relationship between reported sexual abuse and the eating disorders have concluded that the prevalence rate of abuse among eating-disordered women is similar to the rates found in other psychiatric groups and in the general population. However, it is argued in this review that such a conclusion is based on an inappropriate level of analysis of the phenomena of sexual abuse and diagnosable eating disorders. When these two relatively blunt constructs are considered in finer detail, there appears to be a complex link between the nature of sexual abuse and specific bulimic symptomatology. This relationship is discussed with particular reference to important mediating factors (including dissociation, self-denigration, borderline personality disorder, and disclosure experiences), the functions of the bulimic behaviors, and the particular cognitive schemata that the victims of abuse may develop. The clinical implications of this relationship are considered, and suggestions are made for further research.