Anorexia nervosa and personality type: A preliminary report

Abstract

The study described is an exploratory investigation of personality disorders and level of personality disorganization of a small sample of patients with a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa based on DSM-III criteria. The focus is on the question of homogeneity or heterogeneity of personality among the subjects. The subjects were six female inpatients aged 13-19 in a hospital eating disorders program, chosen sequentially from admissions during a five month period. Measures used were: 1) Psychiatric and Social History forms, 2) Diagnostic Interview for Borderlines, 3) WAIS or WISC-R and 4) Rorschach. Each patient was also given an independent personality diagnosis. All measures were administered when patients were at “target” weight. Psychological test data were scored by two “blind” judges utilizing Johnston and Holzman's Thought Disorder Index. Results indicate that the patients manifest a variety of personality disorders and levels of personality organization. There are some indications that patients with a history of bingeing and vomiting are more likely than the others to meet criteria for borderline personality disorder and borderline level of personality organization.