Impulsivity and long-term prognosis of psychiatric patients with anorexia nervosa/bulimia nervosa
Article Abstract:
There are few, if any, reliable predictors of the long-term outcome of eating disorders such as anorexia, the refusal to eat enough and bulimia, which is the alternate gorging and purging of food. The cases of 35 anorexic or bulimic adults were studied over a long period of time. The results indicate that Impulsiveness is the best predictor of an eating disorder, accounting for 25 percent of anorexic symptoms two to three years after evaluation, and 14 percent four to six years after evaluation. However, impulsivness served as a predictor for eating disorders only and not for depression or overall mental illness. Therefore, it is concluded that more impulsive patients run a greater risk for more anorectic symptoms at long-term follow-up.
Publication Name: Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease
Subject: Psychology and mental health
ISSN: 0022-3018
Year: 1989
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Family composition and social class in bulimia: a catchment area study of a clinical and a comparison group
Article Abstract:
Many explanations for the causes of eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia, focus on the role of the family, but these theories are based on research of less-than-maximum rigor. When women with bulimia, in which the patient alternately gorges and purges food, are compared with normal women, there turn out to be no differences in social class, family size, birth position (youngest child, etc.) or sibling sex ratio. However, the parents of bulimic women are, on average, significantly older at the time of the patient's birth than those of normal women. These facts are related to facts discovered by previous studies.
Publication Name: Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease
Subject: Psychology and mental health
ISSN: 0022-3018
Year: 1989
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Co-occurrence of ego function change and symptomatic change in bulimia nervosa: a six year interview based study
Article Abstract:
The bulimia patients who gained more ego strength experienced a decrease in depression and often stopped vomiting or abusing laxatives according to a 6 year study ending in 1994. Low ego strength caused difficulties in interpersonal relationships and led to increased bulimia nervosa symptoms. By working to boost the factors that increased ego strength, 16 patients showed fewer symptoms and experienced generally improved mental health. The research methodologies are presented in detail.
Publication Name: The International Journal of Eating Disorders
Subject: Psychology and mental health
ISSN: 0276-3478
Year: 1995
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