Eating disorders and substance abuse in women: a comparative study of MMPI patterns

Psychopathology was compared in women with eating disorders, women with alcohol or drug problems, and women with both an eating disorder and an alcohol or drug problem. Overall psychopathology, as measured by the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), was greatest in the group with both an eating disorder and substance abuse problems. In general, the women with eating disorders resembled the substance abusers in terms of rebellious and antisocial behavior but differed from the substance abusers in being less hyperactive and experiencing more psychic distress. The differences that were found between eating-disordered women with and without substance abuse problems suggest that treatment interventions may need to be modified if the eating disorder patient has substance abuse problems as well.