Data from a family study of psychiatric disorders showed higher rates of
major affective disorders, eating disorders, and alcoholism in first-
degree relatives of 40 bulimic probands than in first-degree relatives of
24 control subjects. More importantly, the data showed higher rates of
major affective disorders in relatives of bulimic probands who themselves
had no history of major affective disorders than in relatives of control
subjects. This significant finding indicates a familial relationship
between bulimia nervosa and major affective disorders, which suggests the
possibility of a common diathesis.
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