title: Reduction of bulimia nervosa symptoms after psychostimulant initiation in patients with comorbid ADHD: five case reports.
abstract: Studies reveal a higher occurrence of bulimia nervosa (BN) in patients with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) compared to controls. Due to this high degree of comorbidity, some clinicians have used psychostimulants in this population. The goal of this article is to describe five patients with comorbid BN and ADHD and their responses to a course of psychostimulants. After medication initiation, all five patients experienced a decrease in binge/purging and an improvement in ADHD symptoms. Overall, the medications were well tolerated. Possible mechanisms underlying the relationship between ADHD and BN, and words of caution are discussed. The need for clinical trials to further evaluate the efficacy of psychostimulants in this population is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Eating Disorder Program, Capital District Health Authority, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. aaron.keshen@cdha.nshealth.ca
authors.forename: Aaron
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Keshen
authors.forename: Iryna
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ivanova
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000662:Amphetamines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D052018:Bulimia Nervosa / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: C090411:Adderall; D000662:Amphetamines; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants