Suicidal behavior in adolescents and adults with bulimia nervosa

Scott J. Crow, Sonja A. Swanson, Daniel Le Grange, Emily H. Feig, Kathleen R. Merikangas

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

54 Scopus citations

Abstract

Aims To examine frequency and correlates of suicidal ideation and attempts in adolescents and adults with BN in two population-based samples.

Background Recent evidence suggests increased risk for mortality in bulimia nervosa (BN). However, little is yet known about suicidal behavior in BN.

Method A total of 10,123 adolescents and 2980 adults in two nationally representative surveys of mental disorder were queried regarding eating disorder symptoms and suicidal ideation and attempts.

Results Less than 1 percent (0.9%) of adolescents and 1.0% of adults met the criteria for BN. Suicidal ideation was more common among adolescents with BN (53.0%) compared with those with binge eating disorder (BED) (34.4%), other psychopathology (21.3%) or no psychopathology (3.8%). Similar trends emerged for the association between BN and self-reported suicidal plans or attempts. Among adults, suicidality was more common in BN than in the no psychopathology group, but not significantly different from the anorexia nervosa (AN), BED, or other psychopathology subgroups.

Conclusion There is a high risk of suicidal ideation and behavior among those with BN. These results underscore the importance of addressing suicide risk in adolescents and adults with eating disorder symptoms.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1534-1539
Number of pages6
JournalComprehensive Psychiatry
Volume55
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1 2014

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2014 Published by Elsevier Inc.

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