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Personality disorders among subjects recovered from eating disorders
H Matsunaga1, W H Kaye, C McConaha
1Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
The International Journal of Eating Disorders
|March 1, 2000
Summary
Many individuals recovering from eating disorders continue to experience personality disorder symptoms. This study found 26% of recovered women still met criteria for disorders like borderline personality disorder.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Personality disorders frequently co-occur with eating disorders.
- Malnutrition and co-occurring Axis I disorders may exacerbate personality symptoms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the persistence of personality disorder symptoms in women who have recovered from eating disorders for at least one year.
- To determine if personality disorder symptoms remain in a well state post-eating disorder recovery.
Main Methods:
- Evaluated personality disorders in 54 women using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R personality disorders.
- Participants included women recovered from anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), and combined AN/BN.
Main Results:
- 26% (14 of 54) of recovered subjects met criteria for at least one personality disorder.
- Observed prevalence of self-defeating, obsessive-compulsive, and borderline personality disorders.
- Cluster B personality disorders were associated with bulimic subtypes.
Conclusions:
- Recovery from eating disorders may lessen personality disorder symptoms.
- A significant portion of individuals continue to exhibit personality disorder diagnoses after achieving remission from eating disorders.