Subgroups of anorexia nervosa and bulimia: validity and utility

Sociodemographic and psychodynamic similarities and differences among four subgroups of eating disordered females seeking outpatient consultations for anorexia nervosa and bulimia are presented. Supporting the spectrum concept of eating disorders, the four diagnostic subgroups are: anorexia nervosa, restricting; anorexia nervosa with bulimic complications; normal weight bulimia with a history of anorexia nervosa; and normal weight bulimia without a history of anorexia nervosa. Overall, the 165 patients are white, middle to upper-middle class females in their early twenties. The highest levels of psychopathology, as measured by the Eating Disorder Inventory, was manifested by patients afflicted with both anorexic and bulimic symptomatology, either in the past or at time of consultation. Implications for diagnostic classification and clinical intervention are discussed.