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This paper presents the results of an audit of people with eating disorders treated by adult mental health services. Information was obtained about the severity and nature of the eating disorder, treatment received and outcome of treatment for 128 clients who were assessed or treated for an eating disorder by eight adult mental health teams or mental health dietitians between April and September 1994 (inclusive). These teams serve a population of 541986. Referral rates corresponded with those reported by previous studies. Psychiatric comorbidity was commonly reported, particularly depression, however low levels of purging behaviours and alcohol and drug abuse suggest that these behaviours were underreported by clients. The role of generic mental health services in the treatment of people with eating disorders is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes an inpatient treatment programme specifically designed for normal- weight bulimia nervosa patients who have a co-morbidity marked by alcohol and drug abuse, ’cutting’, repeated overdosing or stealing, or sexual disinhibition (multi- impulsive bulimia). The programme uses a rigorous ward regime and simple behavioural counselling, under the direction of a nurse-counsellor to bring control to the many addictive and self-damaging behaviours. The underlying emotional and personality issues are addressed by focal-interpretive (psychodynamic) and cognitive techniques in both group and individual sessions. Major use is made of creative therapies and reality-orientated therapies. General psychodynamic groups are mixed with focal groups using cognitive techniques. Patients respond well and the improvement in symptomatology is maintained during follow-up. Those patients who describe poor peer relationships in adolescence and who find engagement in psychotherapy difficult, do poorly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents an article about the comorbidity of alcoholism and eating disorders. Psychological problems associated with alcohol abuse; Temporal and causal patterns underlying the comorbidity; Prevalence of eating disorder among alcoholics.

Evidence suggests that palatable foods can promote an addictive process akin to drugs of abuse. To date, research in the field of food addiction has focused largely on binge eating as a symptom of this condition. The present study investigated relationships between food addiction and other patterns of overeating, such as compulsive grazing—a behaviour with high relevance to bariatric surgery outcomes. Adults between the ages of 20 and 50 years (n = 232) were recruited for the study. Participants completed questionnaires to assess various eating behaviours and related personality measures. Regression analysis employed the Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS) as the dependent variable. Results indicated that addictive personality traits, reward‐driven eating, and compulsive grazing each contributed unique variance to the YFAS symptom score. These findings provide novel insight into the association between a grazing pattern of overeating and food addiction, and emphasize that similar to traditional addiction disorders such as alcoholism, binge consumption is not the only pattern of compulsive intake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, patients seeking help for weight control with and without “Binge eating disorder” were compared to community non patients in terms of functional impairment and psychological problems. Subjects with BED self reported psychological difficulties, history of depression, treatment for emotional problems and alcohol abuse significantly more frequently than subjects without BED or subjects from the community. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]