The Continuum Versus Categorical Debate on Eating Disorders: Implications for Counselors

The authors summarize a study by D. A. Williamson et al. (2002) in which clinical groups with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, eating disorder not otherwise specified, and binge eating disorder were contrasted with nonclinical groups of participants (i.e., obese and normal weight). The eating disorder groups were qualitatively different. Also, bulimia nervosa, purging and nonpurging types, may fall on a continuum of pathology with the binge‐eating, purging type of anorexia. Anorexia nervosa, restricting type, may be distinct from bulimia nervosa, purging and nonpurging types, and the binge‐eating, purging type of anorexia.