Course of multi-impulsive bulimia.
Thirty-two consecutively admitted females with bulimia nervosa (purging type) according to DSM-IV and additional impulsive behaviours (multi-impulsive bulimia (MIB)) and 32 age-matched female controls with DSM-IV bulimia nervosa (purging type) (uni-impulsive bulimia (UIB)) were assessed longitudinally on admission and at discharge following in-patient therapy and at a 2-year follow-up. Multi-impulsive bulimics were defined as presenting at least three of the six of the following impulsive behaviours in their life-time in addition to their bulimic symptoms at admission: (a) suicidal attempts, (b) severe autoaggression, (c) shop lifting (other than food), (d) alcohol abuse, (e) drug abuse, or (f) sexual promiscuity. Multi-impulsive bulimics were more frequently separated or divorced, had less schooling and held less-skilled jobs. Except for interoceptive awareness (EDI), which was more disturbed in multi-impulsive bulimics, there were no differences concerning scales measuring eating disturbances and related areas. Multi-impulsive bulimics showed more general psychopathology--anxiety, depression, anger and hostility, psychoticism--differed in several personality scales from uni-impulsive bulimics (e.g. increased excitability and anger/hostility) and had overall a less favourable course of illness. Multi-impulsive bulimics also received more in- and out-patient therapy previous to the index treatment and during the follow-up period. The data support the notion that 'multi-impulsive bulimia' or 'multi-impulsive disorder' should be classified as a distinct diagnostic group on axis I or that an 'Impulsive Personality Disorder' should be introduced on axis II. The development of more effective treatment for multi-impulsive bulimia is warranted.
Fichter
M M
MM
Department of Psychiatry, University of Munich, Germany.
Quadflieg
N
N
Rief
W
W
D000328:Adult; D002032:Bulimia / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D007174:Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D010343:Patient Admission; D010552:Personality Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011594:Psychometrics; D011613:Psychotherapy; D012917:Social Adjustment