Bipolar disorder leads to eating disorder (study, comorbidity)

[HuckleB]

Bipolar disorder leads to eating disorder

http://www.mydna.com/health/mental/news/resources/news/200506/news_20050614_bidis.html

"Dr. Carla Ramacciotti of the University of Pisa in Italy recently submitted writings to the journal of Psychiatry Research explaining that there is definitely a relationship between mood disorders and eating disorders. This relationship, however, remains nebulous.

Though eating disorders are relatively common among the bipolar community, it is often difficult to discern whether it is a product of mood alterations or a function of prescribed medications for the disorder.  

Dr. Ramacciotti and her team conducted a study in which 51 patients with type 1 bipolar disorder were interviewed to determine if they had an eating disorder. Specifically, the questioning was focused on determining if patients had a binge eating disorder (BED) or if they possibly suffered from bulimia nervosa (BN).

The researchers found 14 of the 51 bipolar patients had an eating disorder. Of the 14, 9 patients had BED and 5 patients had BN. None of the 14 patients developed an eating disorder prior to their first bipolar episode.

..."


Piss poor headline, I know. This shows comorbidity, indeed, but the researchers themselves stop short of saying that the mood disorder leads to the eating disorder.

[proud2BlibKansan]

1. OMG

I know a couple people who are bipolar and have eating disorders.

[lady lib]

2. One of my relatives has both conditions.

In her case, we think the bulimia preceeded the bipolar, but you never know. She may have already been suffering with bipolar, but was not yet diagnosed.

[Skarbrowe]

3. OH. That explains it. I think I could have told them that. In my

experience, when I am serotonin deprived, barely moving, I want to eat everything I can get my hands on. When I'm up and feeling good, I eat only when I'm very hungry and not as much.

Been doing that for years! Sadly, there have been too many "lows".

[DemBones DemBones]

4. Wonder if studies of Bipolar II patients will show a link as well?

?

[Lydia Leftcoast]

5. Makes sense

Some people stuff themselves when depressed and gain weight. Others forget to eat when depressed and lose weight.

This should have been a no-brainer, but it's nice to see some scientific support.