Is childhood trauma associated with lifetime suicide attempts in women with bulimia nervosa?

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore the association between specific forms of childhood abuse and neglect with lifetime suicide attempts in women with bulimia nervosa (BN). METHODS: Two hundred and four women aged 18–65 (mean = 25.6 years, SD = 9.13) with full or subclinical BN were recruited in five US Midwestern communities and specialized eating disorder clinics. Participants completed questionnaires including the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) and self-reported whether they had ever had a lifetime suicide attempt. Logistic regression analyses were used to predict lifetime suicide attempts from each subscale of the CTQ. RESULTS: Childhood emotional, physical, and sexual abuse were significantly associated with the presence of a lifetime suicide attempt in women with BN. Childhood emotional and physical neglect were not associated with suicide attempts. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with BN who have experienced childhood emotional and sexual abuse are at increased risk of a lifetime suicide attempt. Future research is needed to understand the mechanism to address in treatment and prevention efforts. It is important for clinicians to be aware of the potential increased risk of suicide in individuals with BN with a history of childhood abuse

Family Therapy for Adolescent Eating Disorders: An Update

Family therapy has featured in the treatment of adolescent eating disorders for over 40 years, and the evolution of family therapy approaches, through a variety of theoretical lenses, has been significant. For instance, the recent dissemination of family-based treatment has resulted in a growing number of controlled empirical trials which continue to inform and augment treatment outcomes. In addition, a burgeoning number of alternate approaches to family therapy for eating disorders leave clinicians with more clinical considerations in practicing family therapy for eating disorders. In this paper, we aim to review the recent developments in family therapy for adolescent eating disorders, underscoring the impact on clinical practice and the likely implications for future research