Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the adequacy of a general interview schedule for the purpose of assessing bulimia nervosa.
Method: In two waves of data collection 18-24 months apart, 250 women were assessed for disordered eating. The first interview was typical of that included in many psychiatric interview schedules and was used to screen women for selection in a subsequent interview. This latter interview, using the Eating Disorder Examination, represents the 'gold standard' for the assessment of disordered eating.
Results: While the psychiatric interview satisfactorily assessed disturbed eating in general, it seemed less capable of accurately assessing cases of bulimia nervosa in particular, the major weakness being the overestimation of binge-eating.
Conclusions: Structured psychiatric interviews are suitable for screening purposes to identify women with disordered eating, but identification of bulimia nervosa requires further assessment with a suitable instrument.