The eating disorders as addiction: a psychobiological perspective

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Clinical Psychology
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Substantial comorbidity exists between eating disorders (EDs) and substance-related disorders (SRDs).
• The auto-addiction opioid theory proposes that self-starvation and excessive exercise in EDs may function as an addiction to endogenous opioids.
• Previous research on "addictive personality" traits in ED patients has yielded mixed results.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the prevalence of addictive personality characteristics in patients with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.
• To determine if addictive traits predict the severity of weight preoccupation and excessive exercising in these patient groups.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ) Addiction Scale.
• Assessed correlations between addictive traits, weight preoccupation, and excessive exercising in anorexic and bulimic patients.

Main Results:

• Both anorexic and bulimic patients exhibited high scores on the EPQ Addiction Scale.
• Addictiveness and obsessive-compulsive traits were significantly related to both weight preoccupation and excessive exercising in both ED subtypes.
• Identified specific personality structure similarities and differences between anorexia and bulimia subtypes.

Conclusions:

• Findings support the auto-addiction opioid theory by demonstrating addictive personality traits in ED patients.
• Addictive and obsessive-compulsive traits are key factors in the manifestation of weight preoccupation and excessive exercise in eating disorders.
• Highlights the complex interplay between personality, addiction, and eating disorder symptomatology.