Subtypes of binge eating disorder based on psychiatric history

This investigation sought to identify subtypes of binge eating disorder (BED) based on history of mood disorder (MOOD) and substance use disorder (SUD).

Eighty-four women who met criteria for BED were administered semistructured interviews and completed self-report questionnaires assessing eating pathology, depressive symptoms, self-esteem, body dissatisfaction, and personality traits.

Thirty-nine participants (46.4%) had a lifetime history of a SUD and 60 (71.4%) had a lifetime history of a MOOD. The SUD subtype was associated with a greater impulsivity and frequency of binge eating episodes compared with the no SUD subtype. The MOOD subtype participants reported greater distress, more psychopathology, less dietary restraint, lower self-esteem, more frequent binge eating, higher levels of negative affect, and more frequent trauma and abuse history than the no MOOD subtype.

The results of this study indicate that subtypes of BED on the basis of MOOD and SUD may be associated with a more severe variant of the disorder.