Social and health adjustment of bulimic women 7-9 years following therapy

Abstract

Objective: To examine the long-term social adaptation and long-term follow-up of bulimic women after therapy.

Method: Eighty women with bulimia nervosa were investigated 7-9 years after the beginning of either conflict-oriented in-patient therapy or systemic out-patient therapy. Data was gathered through interviews and patient questionnaires.

Results: At the time of follow-up, 28.9% still had DSM-III-R bulimia, 10.1% suffered from subthreshold bulimia or anorexia (EDNOS), 61.2% did not suffer from any DSM-III-R eating disorder. Compared with statistics on the normal population, the social adaptation of the women was quite good with regard to work, household and living conditions. Some dimensions representing probable aetiological factors (i.e. restrictions of intake, feelings of ineffectiveness) showed a delayed reaction to therapy.

Conclusion: Long-term outcome of bulimia nervosa may be expected to be moderately good. During therapy, greater attention should be paid to characteristics of the disorder less responsive to treatment.