OBJECTIVE: We examined differences in the onset pattern of comorbid disorders in eating-disordered women with and without a history of parasuicide to elucidate potential etiologic differences between the two groups. METHODS: Fifty-four women with a current or past eating disorder partcipated. Of these women, 27 had a history of suicide attempts and self-injury and 27 had no history of suicide attempts or self-injury. The age and pattern of onset for the eating disorder relative to comorbid major depression, anxiety disorder, and substance use disorder were compared between the groups. RESULTS: The onset of major depression and anxiety disorders occurred at a younger age in the parasuicidal group. In addition, the onset of major depression in the parasuicidal group occurred significantly more often before the onset of the eating disorder. DISCUSSION: The eating disorder may be secondary to a mood disturbance in women with parasuicidal histories. Copyright 2004 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 35: 190-197, 2004.
OBJECTIVE: We examined differences in the onset pattern of comorbid disorders in eating-disorderedwomen with and without a history of parasuicide to elucidate potential etiologic differences between the two groups. METHODS: Fifty-four women with a current or past eating disorder partcipated. Of these women, 27 had a history of suicide attempts and self-injury and 27 had no history of suicide attempts or self-injury. The age and pattern of onset for the eating disorder relative to comorbid major depression, anxiety disorder, and substance use disorder were compared between the groups. RESULTS: The onset of major depression and anxiety disorders occurred at a younger age in the parasuicidal group. In addition, the onset of major depression in the parasuicidal group occurred significantly more often before the onset of the eating disorder. DISCUSSION: The eating disorder may be secondary to a mood disturbance in women with parasuicidal histories. Copyright 2004 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 35: 190-197, 2004.