What is multi‐impulsive bulimia and can multi‐impulsive patients benefit from supervised self‐help?

Definitions of multi‐impulsivity and sample characteristics between studies of impulsivity vary widely leading to inconsistent results. Outcome data was examined to assess the comparative response of multi‐impulsive and non multi‐impulsive bulimic patients to a supervised self‐help CBT programme. Multi‐impulsivity was defined as the presence of two or more impulsive behaviours in the last 2 months in addition to bulimia nervosa as reported with the Multi‐Impulsivity Scale. Multi‐impulsive patients reported similar levels of bulimic behaviours but higher levels of depression at pre‐treatment. They achieved similar levels of change by the end of treatment. However, despite improvements, their levels of depressive symptoms remain high and bulimic symptoms subclinical and may be at higher risk of relapse.