The MMPI in three groups of patients with significant weight loss

Fifty patients with severe weight loss thought to be caused by anorexia nervosa were hospitalized for evaluation. On the basis of psychiatric history and mental state examination, they were divided into three diagnostic categories: anorexia nervosa; other. The MMPI of patients with anorexia nervosa was markedly abnormal, with highest peaks on the D (depression), PT (obsessionality and anxiety), and SC (schizophrenia) scales. This profile was similar to that of patients with obsessional symptoms and neurotic depression, but differed significantly from the profile of patients with low weight but normal mental state examination. These findings suggest that starvation alone does not explain the psychopathological symptoms similar to those with depressive and obsessional symptomatology. The MMPI is useful in differentiating anorexia nervosa from those with lowered weight from nonpsychiatric causes, but does not by itself provide a distinct diagnostic category when compared with neurotic disorders having similar symptom clusters.