EATING DISORDERS AND COMORBIDITY - EMPIRICAL, CONCEPTUAL, AND CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

The most common major comorbid disorders associated with eating disord ers include substance use disorders, personality disorders, mood disor ders, anxiety disorders, and obesity. To test conceptual models of the relationship between the eating disorders and these comorbid disorder s, complex research paradigms are needed, including epidemiological st udies, behavior-genetic studies, and longitudinal research designs. Co morbidity may be a significant factor to consider as approaches to the treatment of eating disorders continue to evolve.