Theoretical Meaning of the Symptomatology of Anorexia andBulimia Nervosa

Overview

The authors in this study state that the study of symptomatology of anorexia and bulimia nervosaallows recognition of the meaning of quantitative relations between the components of thepsychopathological status of these conditions. They present the concept that in a signifi cant numberof patients with anorexia and bulimia nervosa there exists a relationship with depression and to alesser degree with schizophrenia. In these cases it must be taken into account that the basic (primary,axial) component of the psychopathological status is depression or schizophrenia. This componentmay not be overtly manifest or it could present itself only at a subclinical level. The clinical picturemay be dominated by less specifi c signs and symptoms, which also form the clinical pathogeneticunit. They depend on the qualitative relation between both components. The non-specifi c componentinfl uences the basic component to become more intensive or chronic. Manifestation of the nonspecific component in this relation is psychopathologically harder to quantitate. The study of theserelationships could determine the appropriate treatment strategies that should be undertaken.

Key words:
depressive and schizophrenic axial syndrome, Guensberger’s method of psychopathologicalanalysis, components (syndromes) of psychopathological status, anorexia and bulimia nervosa,psychopathological symptom and its signs.