Course of Bulimia Nervosa and Binge-Eating Disorder

This chapter summarizes the results of empirical studies and places them in the context of empirical research. There is a larger number of findings on the short- to medium-term course of bulimia nervosa, but few on the long-term course. Less is known about the course of binge-eating disorder. Both eating disorders show a very similar long-term course and outcome, even though the short-term course of BED is somewhat better. The course in men does not differ significantly from that in women. The presence of additional mental illnesses (comorbidity) worsens the prognosis of both eating disorders.