Illness perception in bulimia nervosa.

The study was designed to extend our understanding of illness perceptions in patients with bulimia nervosa (BN). Seventy-eight participants with BN or BN-type Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS-BN) completed the Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ-R) (Moss-Morris et al., 2002). Clinical variables were also assessed. Participants experienced their ED as chronic, with serious consequences and high associated levels of anxiety and depression. The disorder was attributed primarily to psychological causes. The results indicate the perceived severity of BN, and high level of associated distress. These findings highlight the potential for targeting illness perceptions in treatment.