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Depression and bulimia: the link between depression and bulimic cognitions
Journal of Abnormal Psychology
|August 1, 1989
Summary
Bulimic individuals exhibit more maladaptive thinking, but these cognitive differences are linked to depression levels. Specific bulimic cognitions and behaviors persist even when depression is controlled, suggesting bulimia is a distinct disorder.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Bulimia nervosa often co-occurs with depression.
- Understanding the cognitive overlap and distinctions between bulimia and depression is crucial for effective treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between bulimic and depressive cognitions.
- To determine if cognitive differences in bulimia persist independently of depressive symptoms.
Main Methods:
- Assessed depression levels in 29 individuals with bulimia and 16 controls using the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia-Change Version and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).
- Administered cognitive measures including the Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire, Dysfunctional Attitude Scale, Attributional Style Questionnaire, Restraint Inventory, Thoughts About Eating Inventory, and Eating Disorders Inventory.
Main Results:
- Individuals with bulimia showed significantly higher depression levels than controls.
- Cognitive differences related to depression were not significant when controlling for BDI scores.
- Differences in eating disorder-specific cognitive and behavioral measures remained significant even after statistically controlling for depression.
Conclusions:
- While depression is common in bulimia, specific maladaptive cognitions and behaviors characterize bulimia nervosa.
- These distinct cognitive and behavioral features suggest bulimia is not merely a manifestation of an affective disorder.