ABSTRACT

The eating disorders anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and the corresponding double diagnoses in the diagnosis schemes Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM–III–R, DSM–IV) , as well as International Classification of Diseases (ICD–10) are predominantly defined by symptoms. Treatment of current conflicts as well as strengthening of the resources of individual patients are important goals, in addition to that of reducing the symptoms. This chapter focuses on the measurement of success with respect to personality traits. Personality disorders are well-defined diagnoses, which can be drawn in addition to an existing eating disorder and describe a serious psychopathology. Accordingly, the co-morbidity of anorexia and personality disorders has been estimated to be up to approximately 50%. Estimates of bulimic patients with additional personality disorders are in the range of 20%. For the assessment of treatment success the use of a personality disorder co-morbidity is likely to be less sensitive than is the standardized assessment of personality traits.