Methylphenidate treatment for bulimia nervosa associated with a cluster B personality disorder.
Int J Eat Disord
; 25(2): 233-7, 1999 Mar.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-10065402
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES:
Psychotherapy and antidepressant medication are helpful to many patients with bulimia nervosa (BN). However, a substantial number of bulimics respond poorly to such treatments. Recent studies suggest that many of the poor responders have cluster B personality disorders. In some ways, the symptomatology of bulimics who have a comorbid cluster B disorder resembles that of patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In particular, individuals in both groups frequently have a high level of impulsivity. Such a resemblance raised the question of whether administration of methylphenidate (MPH), a drug used to treat ADHD, would have therapeutic effects in this subgroup of BN patients.METHODS:
In a pilot study, we administered MPH to 2 patients with BN and cluster B traits and found beneficial effects. These patients had not responded to adequate trials of psychotherapy and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).RESULTS:
MPH treatment was effective. Both Patients had decreased binging and purging.DISCUSSION:
MPH may be useful for bulimics with cluster B personality disorder who respond poorly to conventional treatment. Further studies of MPH administration may be worthwhile. Due to the potential risks, however, clinical treatment with this agent is not recommended at this time.
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Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Transtornos da Personalidade
/
Bulimia
/
Estimulantes do Sistema Nervoso Central
/
Metilfenidato
Tipo de estudo:
Prognostic_studies
/
Qualitative_research
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
1999
Tipo de documento:
Article