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The authors attempted to replicate previous findings that weight suppression is a significant predictor of treatment completion and treatment outcome (M. L. Butryn, M. R. Lowe, D. L. Safer, & W. S. Agras, 2006) and weight gain over treatment (M. R. Lowe, W. Davis, D. Lucks, R. A. Annunziato, & M. L. Butryn, 2006) among women with bulimic disorders. The authors also examined 2 alternative measures of weight variability. Participants were 132 women with bulimia nervosa treated with cognitive-behavioral therapy. Participants who dropped out of treatment did not have significantly higher levels of weight suppression than did treatment completers. Among those who completed treatment, weight suppression did not significantly predict binge eating and purging at post-treatment. Weight suppression did significantly predict weight change and, in particular, weight gain [greater than or equal to] 5 kg) over treatment. Alternative measures of weight variability did not significantly predict treatment completion or treatment outcome, but 1 measure significantly predicted weight gain over treatment. In conclusion, the authors failed to replicate the previous finding that weight suppression predicts treatment compliance and treatment outcome, but they did replicate the finding that weight suppression predicts weight gain over treatment. Keywords: weight suppression, bulimia nervosa, outcome, cognitive-behavior therapy

The majority of patients with bipolar disorder have onset prior to twenty years with early onset associated with increased impairment. Despite this, little attention has been given to the psychosocial developmental impact of this disorder. This qualitative study explored the impact of having bipolar disorder on the development of a sense of self and identity. Key findings from this qualitative study identified that for these participants, bipolar disorder had a significant impact in the area of self and identity development. Bipolar disorder created experiences of confusion, contradiction, and self doubt which made it difficult for these participants to establish continuity in their sense of self. Their lives were characterized by disruption and discontinuity and by external definitions of self based on their illness. Developing a more integrated self and identity was deemed possible through self-acceptance and incorporating different aspects of themselves. These findings would suggest that it is critical to view bipolar disorder within a psychosocial developmental framework and consider the impact on the development of self and identity. A focus on the specific areas of impact and targeting interventions that facilitate acceptance and integration thus promoting self and identity development would be recommended.

Abstract Evidence suggests that the neuropeptide oxytocin plays a role in social affiliation. This behaviour may be related more to personality dimensions than specific psychiatric diagnoses. This study investigated the [...]

The changes in weight and body mass index (BMI) at 5-year follow-up among women treated for bulimia nervosa are examined. It was found that five years after the treatment for bulimia nervosa, approximately one half of the participants had changed substantially in weight, and for those who had changed, weight loss was more common than weight gain.

Research does not support the hypothesis that cue reactivity during pretreatment for bulimia can be used as a predictor of which method of treatment will produce the most beneficial results. Data were obtained from 135 bulimic women from 17 to 45 years of age.

Research examining the effects of cognitive-behavior therapy for bulimic women is presented, with focus on observing changes in their cue reactivity. It is concluded that significant cue reactivity changes have been recorded as an effect of the treatment.

A new study investigates whether changes in information processing are modified by cognitive-behavior therapy among women with bulimia nervosa.

It may be possible to identify a subset of bulimia nervosa patients for whom limited cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) treatment could be effective, according to research comparing the characteristics of patients who demonstrated a rapid response to CBT and who remained abstinent during treatment with patients who did not show a rapid or sustained response. Lesser severity was connected with rapid response.

Research suggests that individuals who restrict their dietary intake may be predisposed to eating disorders. A new study investigates whether the Temperament and Character Inventory can distinguish certain aspects of restrained eating in different personality profiles. It is shown that individuals with low self-directedness and high self-transcendence may exhibit a tendency towards a restrained eating style.

Researchers investigated the possibility of using the Temperament and Character Inventory to distinguish restraints on eating behavior. Results obtained from a randomly-selected group of 101 women revealed some correlations. Individuals who had character traits indicating low self-directedness or high self-transcendence were more likely to display restrained eating characteristics on the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire. The trait of novelty seeking had a significant positive correlation with lack of restraint in eating.

The total serum cholesterol concentrations in women with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are compared with those of the depressed women in the general population. Results how that bulimic women have higher total cholesterol concentrations than depressed and anorexic women. This is attributed to the large amount of cholesterol and fat bulimic women get during their binge episodes.

Binge eating, which is defined as the consumption of large amount of food in a short period of time, has always been associated with food craving. However, a number of observations show that some food cravers are not binge eaters as their craving is easily satisfied with a normal amount of food. For those reported as binge cravers, on the other hand, they are usually individuals of low self-directedness and have higher body mass indexes. They are also diagnosed to having bulimia diagnosa.

The existence of food cravings among women who had been previously afflicted with anorexia nervosa are examined. Information on the prevalence and nature of these cravings are derived from the results of the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire, the Temperament and Character Inventory and the Diagnostic Interview for Genetic Studies. Results show that food cravings exist and that the unavailability of the desired food results to anxiety.

The onset of binge eating and dieting in 108 bulimic women aged 17 to 45 was investigated. The study sought to determine when the disordered eating behavior was first manifested, whether binge eating followed dieting or vice versa, and whether dieting preceded the development of the full syndrome of bulimia nervosa. The study also examined possible differences in the clinical features of bulimia nervosa, and in comorbidity and psychological characteristics between women who dieted first and those who binged first.

Objective: The aim of this paper was to ascertain which childhood abuse experiences are associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomatology for women survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA). Method: Seventy-three women attending a Family Health Counselling Service's Sexual Abuse Program were invited to participate in a study looking at the effectiveness of sexual abuse counselling. Initially, the women completed a series of self-report questionnaires including a measure of PTSD symptoms, and were interviewed about childhood abuse experiences. Results: PTSD symptoms were associated with higher levels of all psychopathology. However, more interestingly, the severity of PTSD symptoms was also associated with the extent of CSA which involved actual sexual intercourse. This association of repeated abuse involving sexual intercourse with PTSD symptoms was still significant (partial coefficient = .30, p, .000) even when controlling for general level of psychopathology. Conclusions: One of the long-term effects of child sexual abuse (CSA) is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the women who reported multiple abusive episodes which involved sexual intercourse had increased symptoms of PTSD. Key Words - Specific effects of CSA, Post-traumatic stress disorder.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between personality measures and alcohol dependence relapse in a treatment sample of men with alcohol dependence. Method: Alcohol dependent men (N = 87) without a primary diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder, recruited consecutively from a 3-week abstinence-focused therapeutic program, along with informants, completed the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R Personality Disorders (self-report questionnaire) (SCID-PQ) and the Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire (TPQ) and were followed-up for 6 months. Drinking outcomes were based on multiple sources of data and subjects categorized as relapsed or not. Personality was investigated according to traditional DSM-III-R/DSM-IV clusters, as well as conduct disorder and obsessionality separately, in addition to the four major temperament dimensions of the TPQ. Results: Cluster B personality disorder symptoms, conduct disorder symptoms and novelty seeking were not associated with relapse. However, the temperament trait of persistence predicted relapse. Conclusions: Personality features associated with onset of alcohol dependence do not appear to be the same as those associated with relapse in a sample of alcohol dependent men that excludes severe antisocial personality disorder. It is speculated that what might be considered low motivation when applied to alcohol dependent patients who relapse following treatment, may in part reflect low persistence, a personality trait. (J. Stud. Alcohol 58: 257-263, 1997), The personality trait of persistence was directly related to the rate of relapse into alcohol dependency for 87 alcoholic men whose drinking behavior was monitored for six months in a New Zealand study. The study excluded men with antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) because prior research showed that alcoholics with ASPD are more prone to relapse. Personality assessments were conducted by patients themselves and by separate informants. Assessment of patient persistence by informants was the measure that most significantly predicted relapse. Its lack of female subjects was the study's major limitation., THE RELATIONSHIP between personality and alcoholism is complex. Although there are significant conceptual and methodological issues to resolve in order to understand completely the connections between personality and alcoholism, there [...]

A study involving the meal patterns and nutrient intake of women with bulimia nervosa (BN) relative to clinical variables and recommended dietary allowances was undertaken through evaluation of the 14-day nutrient intake of 50 bulimic patients. Results revealed that nutrient deficiencies particulary iron, zinc, and calcium as well as pregnancy-induced folate and vitamin B12 deficiency in gestating women incurred during nonbinge eating risks of being unsupplemented during binge eating. The problem should be addressed alongside with treatment of the disorder.

A randomized clinical trial of 114 women afflicted with bulimia nervosa is conducted to examine the correlates of severity of this type of eating disorder. Regression models were developed to identify the relationships between correlates and severity indices. Results indicate that the degree of severity is directly related to character scores and the age of onset of the disorder. The validity of these results need further study.

A past history of anorexia nervosa has been linked with the occurrence of bulimia nervosa among women. One hundred fourteen bulimic women were entered into a randomized clinical trial to determine the validity of this argument. Some of the respondents were subjected into dietary analysis. Test results show that bulimic women afflicted with anorexia nervosa in the past are more likely to exhibit similarities in both psychological and physiological categories.

Cultural differences may explain the difference in the rate of depression among different countries. A study of 10 countries found that the annual rates of major depression varied from .8 cases per 100 adults in Taiwan to 5.8 cases per 100 adults in New Zealand. The incidence of depression was higher in women than men. However, the rates of manic depression were similar in most countries and affected men and women equally. Major depression struck most people in their mid-20s, while those with manic depression were often affected in their teens.

A study to understand pretreatment characteristics and lifetime prevalence of Axis I and II comorbidity disorders in women for outpatient treatment of Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is conducted. Results indicate that specific elevations were found for prevalence of obsessive compulsive disorders and other disorders.

A study investigates the usefulness of a self-report questionnaire (adapted from the Situational Appetite Measure, or SAM) in the assessment of cue reactivity among women treated for bulimia nervosa. Results indicate that a self-report questionnaire provides useful information regarding cue reactivity among women treated for bulimia nervosa, without the difficulties associated with in vivo assessment.

A study presents the rationale for, and description of, a non-specialized therapy for anorexia nervosa, called specialist supportive clinical management (SSCM). The primary focus of SSCM for anorexia is the resumption of normal eating and the restoration of weight. The therapy aims to maintain a therapeutic relationship that facilitates the return to normal eating, and to enable other life issues that may impact on the eating disorder to be addressed.

Childhood gastrointestinal (GI) complaints in adult women presenting for a treatment trial for bulimia nervosa (BN) and the correlates of BN symptomatology is examined. Results revealed that women with GI complaints were younger, and had an earlier onset of BN and self-induced vomiting compared with women with no GI complaints.

A study was conducted to examine women who had babies during 5-year follow-up after getting treated for bulimia nervosa (BN). Results suggest that poor functioning following treatment for bulimia nervosa, in combination with demographic variables, was strongly predictive of not conceiving a baby.

This article examines the level and type of anxiety and psychoactive substance use disorder between women with anorexia nervosa and women with severe mental depression. The authors, analyzing results from a clinical trial, found a high prevalence of obsessive-compulsive disorder in anorexic women, and a high prevalence social phobia and psychoactive substance use disorder in both anorexic and mentally depressed women.

Craving can fuel episodes of food consumption in some individuals. The possibility that consumption of meals of varying composition would differentially affect craving for foods of certain compositions, is examined. Also the possibility that meals of varying composition would differentially affect the desire tot binge eat, is investigated. The findings indicated that consumption of a protein-rich meal raise susceptibility to craving sweet-tasting foods in vulnerable women.

The contribution of a series of measures of personality and/or cognitive style to serious suicide attempt risk in young people was examined in a case-control study. Individuals making suicide attempts had elevated odds of hopelessness, neuroticism, introversion, low self-esteem, impulsiveness, and external locus of control. When allowance was made for intercorrelations between these measures, hopelessness, neuroticism, and external locus of control remained significant risk factors for serious suicide attempt; self-esteem, extraversion, and impulsiveness were not significantly associated with suicide attempt risk. Nonsignificant findings were explained by the presence of substantial correlations between these measures and measures of hopelessness, neuroticism, and external locus of control.

A study considered whether affective, anxiety, eating and substance use disorders were more prevalent in women with food cravings compared to those with no cravings. It was also examined whether temperament as measured by the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) is an indicator. Women who experienced food cravings were much more likely to have experienced alcohol abuse/dependence than noncraving women. The presence of a frank anxiety disorder was not associated with craving per se, but does not mean there is no link between stress and craving.

High levels of comorbid alcohol dependence have been recorded in women with bulimia nervosa. The issue of how women with comorbid bulimia nervosa and alcohol dependence may differ from those with bulimia nervosa alone, has been addressed. Characteristics such as borderline personality disorder or impulsiveness have been identified as important features of bulimic women with comorbid alcohol dependence. It is unknown whether these characteristics are a causal factor.