In a patient series of 115 eating-disordered women, a secondary
diagnosis of borderline personality disorder was associated with a
reported history of sexual abuse. The association was specifically
with childhood sexual abuse (first experience at less than 14 years),
rather than with abuse later in life or with intrafamilial
experiences. A model involving background features, precipitants, and
immediate and long-term psychological consequences is suggested to
explain this specific link to childhood abuse. The implications of
this association for the treatment of anorexic and bulimic eating
disorders are considered.