title: Impulsivity ratings in bulimia nervosa: relationship to binge eating behaviors.
abstract: Although impulsive behavioral patterns are often described by patients with bulimia nervosa, there has been little formal evaluation of the relationship between impulsivity and eating-related symptomatology in this disorder. In this controlled outpatient study, ratings on the Barratt Impulsivity Scale were significantly elevated in 20 women with bulimia nervosa in comparison to 20 healthy female volunteers. Frequency of binge eating episodes was not significantly correlated with impulsivity ratings. Although these results indicate increased prevalence of impulsive behavioral style in patients with bulimia nervosa, impulsivity per se does not appear to be a predictor of symptom severity as reflected in frequency of bulimic episodes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Beth Israel Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02215.
authors.forename: B E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Wolfe
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Jimerson
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Levine
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001835:Body Weight; D002032:Bulimia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006963:Hyperphagia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics