A study of temperament and personality in anorexia and bulimia nervosa

Although temperment and personality traits could influence the development and course of eating disorders, only a few studies examined the similaritie s and differences in personality between anorexia and bulimia nervosa. We c ompared 72 patients with DSM-TV eating disorders and 30 healthy controls, D imensions of personality and personality disorders were evaluated with the Eysenck's EPQ, Cloninger's TCI, and the SCID-II questionnaires. The rates o f impulsivity and clinical features were evaluated using specific rating sc ales. A comorbid personality disorder was found in 61.8% of patients with e ating disorder. Avoidant personality disorder appeared was relatively commo n in anorexia nervosa restricting type; borderline personality disorder was most frequent in bulimia nervosa and the binge eating-purging type of anor exia nervosa, From a dimensional perspective, anorexic patients presented h igh scores in the dimension of persistence. Higher harm avoidance and impul sivity was found in bulimic patients. The overall eating disorders group pr esented high scores in neuroticism and low scores in self-directedness. Eat ing disorder patients have heterogeneous features of temperment and persona lity traits, Cluster C personality disorders Seem more common in anorexia n ervosa restricting type and impulsive personality features are associated w ith bulimic symptoms. Impulsivity seems to be a key aspect of temperament o f bulimic patients, whereas anorexic symptoms are linked to persistent temp erament traits.