[Bulimia nervosa in adolescence].

Although eating disorders of the bulimic type have been known for a long time, "bulimia nervosa" as a special and specific type of eating disorder was described only during the last decade. Clinical evidence has shown an increase in bulimic disturbances during the last few years. About 30% of the bulimic disturbances begin between the 14th and 18th year of age. About 50% of patients with bulimia nervosa have been anorexic before. A group of 30 patients with anorexia nervosa and a group of 11 patients with bulimia nervosa were compared by means of the dexamethasone suppression test and two depression scales at the beginning of inpatient treatment, after 8-12 weeks of inpatient treatment and at discharge. Patients with anorexia nervosa revealed significantly higher cortisol levels at the beginning of inpatient treatment as compared with the bulimic group. Cortisol levels were normalized with weight gain. Therapeutic measures in bulimia nervosa comprise medical and psychotherapeutic methods.