ABSTRACT
Objective of review. To provide a review of the most recent research on the psychiatric comorbidity of eating disorders (EDs) reported during the years 2004–2005.
Summary of recent findings. Current research provides further evidence to support the high rates of DSM axis I and axis II disorders in EDs. The literature indicates that anxiety and mood disorders are prevalent across EDs while psychopathology related to impulsivity (e.g. substance use disorders, borderline personality disorder) is more commonly associated with EDs characterized by bulimic symptoms.
Future directions. Future research should include more diverse samples with respect to participant age, treatment status (e.g. inpatient, outpatient, community-based), gender, and ethnicity (e.g. increased cross-cultural research). Continued research in the area of psychiatric comorbidity will be useful in the classification and nosology of EDs, in informing our understanding of the pathophysiology of these disorders, and in the development of effective treatments for EDs.
