Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 7, 2025

A Computer-Based Platform for Aiding Clinicians in Eating Disorder Analysis and Diagnosis
Published on: May 10, 2022
Anorexia Nervosa in Comorbidity With Borderline Personality Disorder in Adolescence: A Specific Clinical
Anna Riva1, Eleonora Brasola1, Sofia Elena Sforza1
1Department of Child Neuropsychiatry, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Monza, Italy.
Objective:
Anorexia nervosa and borderline personality disorder are often associated and share some core elements, including emotional dysregulation and affective instability. Nevertheless, the association of these two conditions in adolescence is still little studied.
Method:
The present study aims at investigating, through a multidimensional assessment, the psychopathological characteristics of adolescents affected by anorexia nervosa in comorbidity with borderline personality disorder on a sample of 127 female adolescents, through the comparison with adolescents with borderline personality disorders and adolescents with anorexia nervosa. All participants completed a validated psychometric battery assessing alexithymia (Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20), depression (Children's Depression Inventory), psychological symptoms (Symptom Checklist-90-Revised) and psychological symptoms relevant in eating disorders (Eating Disorders Inventory-3).
Results:
Adolescents with anorexia nervosa in comorbidity with borderline personality disorder show intermediate features between the two disorders individually in the general psychopathological profile, but a peculiar psychological profile regarding the eating symptomatology, with worse features compared to adolescents with the sole anorexia nervosa.
Conclusions:
Results suggest a peculiar clinical and psychopatological endophenotype in adolescents with anorexia nervosa in comorbidity with borderline personality disorders, indicating the need to define specific and tailored treatment for this population.
Related Concept Videos
Anorexia Nervosa
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...
Bulimia Nervosa
Borderline Personality Disorder
Genetic and Environmental Contributions
Borderline Personality...
Binge Eating Disorders
Personality Disorders: Narcissistic and Avoidant
Characteristics of Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Narcissistic individuals exhibit an inflated sense of self-importance and an excessive need for admiration. They are often...
Personality Disorders: Dependent and Obsessive-Compulsive
Dependent Personality Disorder
Dependent personality disorder is characterized by an excessive reliance on others to manage various aspects of life. Individuals with this disorder often struggle...

