Subtypes of binge eating disorder based on psychiatric history

Objective: This investigation sought to identify subtypes of binge eating disorder (BED) based on history of mood disorder (MOOD) and substance use disorder (SUD). Method: Eighty-four women who met criteria for BED were administered semi-structured interviews and completed self-report questionnaires assessing eating pathology, depressive symptoms, self-esteem, body dissatisfaction, and personality traits. Results: Thirty-nine participants (46.4%) had a lifetime history of a SUD and 60 (71.4%) had a lifetime history of a MOOD. The SUD subtype was associated with a greater impulsivity and frequency of binge eating episodes compared with the no SUD subtype. The MOOD subtype participants reported greater distress, more psychopathology, less dietary restraint, lower self-esteem, more frequent binge eating, higher levels of negative affect, and more frequent trauma and abuse history than the no MOOD subtype. Discussion: The results of this study indicate that subtypes of BED on the basis of MOOD and SUD may be associated with a more severe variant of the disorder.