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Mood Changes in Bulimia Nervosa

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

Eric C. Johnson-Sabine*
Affiliation:
Academic Department of Psychiatry, The Royal Free Hospital, Pond Street, Hampstead, London, NW3
Kathryn H. Wood
Affiliation:
Academic Department of Psychiatry, The Royal Free Hospital, Pond Street, Hampstead, London, NW3
Anthony Wakeling
Affiliation:
Academic Department of Psychiatry, The Royal Free Hospital, Pond Street, Hampstead, London, NW3
*
Correspondence

Summary

Daily measurement of mood, and the occurrence of specific eating behaviours, were assessed concurrently over an eight-week period in a sample of 50 patients meeting diagnostic criteria for bulimia nervosa. Results of observer-rated scales of mood showed a significant reduction of scores, whereas self-assessment of mood showed no change over the study period. Negative mood states, although not severe, were more marked when the specific behavioural symptoms of binge-eating, vomiting, or purging occurred, and they increased as abnormal eating behaviours accumulated. It is suggested that the accompanying dysphoric mood states of bulimia nervosa are likely to be a secondary manifestation related to the presence of abnormal eating symptoms, and that they do no constitute a primary depressive illness.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © 1984 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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