The validity of the distinction between bulimia with and without anorexia nervosa

Am J Psychiatry. 1985 May;142(5):581-7. doi: 10.1176/ajp.142.5.581.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between bulimia in women with anorexia nervosa and bulimia of a similar severity in normal-weight women and to determine the support for the distinction between these two groups according to DSM-III criteria. Results indicated that bulimic women with anorexia nervosa (N = 59) and bulimic normal-weight women (N = 59) resembled each other on most variables and were more similar to each other than to women with anorexia nervosa who rigidly restricted food intake (N = 59). The results failed to support the diagnostic distinction between bulimia in anorexic women and bulimia of equal severity in normal-weight women.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anorexia Nervosa / complications
  • Anorexia Nervosa / diagnosis*
  • Anorexia Nervosa / psychology
  • Body Image
  • Body Weight
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Eating
  • Family
  • Feeding and Eating Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hyperphagia / complications
  • Hyperphagia / diagnosis*
  • Hyperphagia / psychology
  • Impulsive Behavior / diagnosis
  • Impulsive Behavior / psychology
  • Manuals as Topic
  • Mental Disorders / diagnosis
  • Mental Disorders / psychology
  • Personality Inventory
  • Psychological Tests