Emotions and cognitions associated with bingeing and weight control behavior in bulimia

The examination of cognitions and emotions during the bulimic cycle is critical in understanding possible maintenance factors involved in bulimia. In this study, 22 bulimics and 22 nonbulimics recorded their thoughts and feelings every 2 waking hours over a 6-day period. Bulimics additionally recorded their moods and thoughts during their binges and compensatory behaviors (e.g., purging, exercise). Higher levels of negative affect were reported at all stages of the cycle compared to baseline, although negative affect decreased after the compensatory behavior stage. Subjects also reported stronger distorted cognitions before and after the binge compared to baseline. One of the distorted cognitions (feeling fat) decreased in strength after subjects engaged in compensatory behavior. Additional analyses revealed that most levels of negative affect and distorted cognitions were elevated prior to binges as compared to meals. Finally, negative affect and distorted cognitions were stronger after binges than after meals.