DSM-III-R personality disorders in patients with eating disorders.

ABSTRACT

The authors conducted a systematic examination of DSM-III-R personality disorders among 35 patients with eating disorders. Fifty-seven percent of the patients met the criteria for at least one axis II diagnosis; borderline, self-defeating, and avoidant were the most frequently assigned personality disorders. Forty percent of the patients were given two or more diagnoses, and 17% of the patients met criteria for five to seven diagnoses. No differences were found between patients with anorexia nervosa, anorexia and bulimia nervosa, and bulimia nervosa in the distribution of diagnoses or the frequency with which individual criteria (traits) were assigned.