The prevalence of eating disorders in recently admitted psychiatric in-patients

Article Abstract:

Mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and substance abuse are reported frequently among patients being treated for eating disorders; those so affected often have a poorer prognosis than patients with eating disorders not complicated by these other disorders. Little is known, however, about the prevalence of eating disorders in patients with psychiatric illness. In the present study, 107 patients admitted to an inpatient psychiatric unit were screened for eating disorder symptoms. They were administered a questionnaire designed to elicit information about current and past eating behavior. Of the 107 patients, 18 (17 percent) met the formal criteria for an eating disorder - eight patients were diagnosed as bulimic, seven had a nonspecific eating disorder of the bulimia type, and three had a nonspecific eating disorder of the anorexia type - although none was specifically admitted for treatment of that disorder. Five of the 18 patients diagnosed with an eating disorder were male. Most commonly, patients in the eating-disorder subgroup had been admitted because of mood and personality disorders. Symptoms of eating disorders are relevant to the diagnosis and treatment of other psychiatric disorders. Because of the prevalence of eating disorders in this sample of psychiatric patients, it is recommended that psychiatric patients be routinely assessed for eating disorders so that accurate diagnosis and treatment planning is possible. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Care and treatment, Mentally ill persons, Diagnosis, Mentally ill, Psychiatric hospital patients

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Sexual abuse, disordered personality and eating disorders

Article Abstract:

Research and population surveys demonstrate evidence that child sexual abuse (CSA) often leads to long-term mental health problems, including depression, anxiety disorders, alcoholism, drug abuse, somatization disorder (the conversion of anxiety into physical disorders), and sexual dysfunctions. Recent studies have found a relationship between CSA and eating disorders. In order to evaluate the relationship between personality disorders, CSA and eating disorders, standardized personality assessments, eating-attitude and body-image questionnaires, and a self-report test of sexual experiences were administered to 50 consecutive female patients referred to an eating disorders clinic and diagnosed with either anorexia (extreme phobia to becoming fat and aversion to eating) or bulimia nervosa (binge eating followed by purging). Analysis of the data revealed that 30 percent of the patients had a history of CSA. Fifty-two percent of the study participants had a diagnosis of personality disorder in addition to their eating disorder. A significantly higher proportion of women with histories of personality disorder had suffered CSA. Although the study did not demonstrate a clear causal link between CSA and personality disorder, all the women who had been subjected to repeated severe CSA were found to have severe character disorders (borderline/antisocial), and mixed anorexic-bulimic disorder. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Psychological aspects, Bulimia, Anorexia nervosa, Child sexual abuse, Personality disorders

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