Comorbidity and high-risk behaviors in treatment-seeking adolescents with bulimia nervosa

Objective: The purpose of this brief report is to describe the comorbid diagnoses and high-risk behaviors in a sample of adolescents with bulimia nervosa (BN). Method: Eighty adolescents enrolled in a RCT for BN that compared family-based therapy with individual-supportive psychotherapy completed the Eating Disorder Examination and the Schedule for Affective Disorder and Schizophrenia for School Age Children (K-SADS). Results: A total of 62.5% of the sample had a comorbid diagnosis as determined by the K-SADS. The majority of these presented with a major mood disorder. In addition, 25% of the sample had previ-ously attempted suicide or self-harmed, 65 . 8% had consumed alcohol, and 30% had used illegal drugs. Suicidal behavior, drug use, and presence of a comorbid diagnosis were not related to diagnosis (full BN vs. subthreshold BN) or age. Conclusion: Comorbidity and high-risk health behaviors in adolescents with BN mirror those of adults with BN although not at similar rates. (c) 2007 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.