Body Image in Eating Disorders

Body Image in Eating Disorders explores issues relating to the prevention, clinical diagnosis, and psychological treatment of distortions of body image in eating disorders. It presents a multifactorial model of indicators for diagnosis and treatment, considering psychological, sociocultural, and family indicators. Based on original empirical research with women and girls suffering from eating disorders, the book draws attention to limitations and dilemmas related to psychological diagnosis and treatment of people with eating disorders including anorexia readiness syndrome, bulimia, and bigorexia. The book proposes an integrative psychodynamic approach to the diagnosis and treatment of body image disorders and presents case studies illustrating examples of application of integration of psychodynamic therapy and psychodrama in psychological treatment of young people suffering from eating disorders. It considers risk factors including abnormal body image for the development of eating disorders and argues that psychological diagnosis of the body image is an important factor in determining the right direction of psychological treatment for people with eating disorders. Drawing on theoretical foundations and evidence-based clinical practice, the book will be of great interest to researchers, academics, and students in the fields of clinical and applied psychology, mental health, and specialists in eating disorders

Body image among young females with anorexia nervosa and the structure of body image among their mothers

Aim. A comparative study of body image among young females with anorexia nervosa and their mothers. Method. Contour Drawing Rating Scale CDRS by J.K Thompson, J. Gray. Results. The results of this research revealed the statistically significant correlation between body image evaluation among mothers and the body perception among their daughters with anorexia nervosa. The correlation refers to the "ideal self" (“what I want to look like") as well as to the "ought self" ("what I should look like"). Both mothers and daughters aspire to the ideal body image. The women’s desired body shape is slimmer than their current figure which conforms to the age-appropriate norms. When evaluating their bodies, both groups of females take into account the social norms concerning appearance. Conclusions. Culturally and socially influenced perception of body can significantly affect the development of identity in adolescent females and young women, leading to disharmony

The results of research aimed at identifying psychological predictors of impulsive and restrictive behaviours in a population of females suffering from anorexia or bulimia nervosa - the author’s own research report

Aim of the study. The results of research aimed at identifying psychological predictors of impulsive and restrictive behaviours in a population of females suffering from anorexia or bulimia. Subject or material and methods. Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI) devised by D. Garner. Clinical group:90 Polish females with bulimia and anorexia, A control group: 121 women, who exhibited no eating disorders. Results. Analysis of the data gathered as a result of this research demonstrated that the females comprising the clinical sample, who exhibited symptoms of bulimia or anorexia displayed inappropriate levels of all emotional and cognitive characteristics. Statistically significant differences were observed between the clinical and control subjects in terms of the variables investigated in the study. Discussion. The data analysis revealed that low interoceptive awareness proved to be a significant predictor of impulsive and restrictive behaviors in anorexia and bulimia. Perfectionism and body dissatisfaction were found to be significant determinants of restrictive behaviors. Whereas, such variables as a tendency towards bulimia and body dissatisfaction emerged as predictive factors for the symptoms of bulimia and bulimia type anorexia. Conclusions. Possibility that a psychological diagnosis of the emotional and cognitive characteristics displayed by females diagnosed with anorexia or bulimia nervosa is likely to facilitate the process of detecting the symptoms which are typical of the particular types of eating disorders, and thus it is a tool that can be useful at the initial stage of treatment, which involves establishing appropriate psychological interventions aimed at eliminating impulsive and restrictive behaviors developed in patients diagnosed with the aforementioned eating disorders

Mental condition and specificity of mental disorders in a group of workers from southern Poland : a research report

The aim of this work is to provide empirical evidence regarding types and increasing prevalence of mental disorders affecting Polish working population in the years 2014-2016. The research questions concerned the specific characteristics of the types of mental disorders and their prevalence as well as the differences between males and females. Material and Methods: Types of mental disorders were investigated using a clinical method, a structured interview, as well as medical record data gathered in the years 2014-2016 in one mental health treatment center. The study was conducted in the population of 1578 working individuals aged 18-64 years old, in various forms of employment, including flexible employment (self-employment, task assignment agreement) and contract employment. The research population consisted of 998 females and 580 males, aged 18-64 years old. The study aimed at investigating types and the prevalence rate of mental disorders developed in the examined working Poles, also with reference to the sex of the study participants as well as the age at which they started seeking treatment. Results: The prevailing disorders include neurotic disorders; diagnosed according to the 10th Revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10) classification as a range of anxiety disorders, mixed anxiety-depressive disorders, stress-related and somatoform disorders; as well as personality disorders. The prevalence rate of the aforementioned disorders was found to be higher among working females than in the group of working males. Conclusions: The overall study conclusions based on the research data analysis point to the fact that the prevalence rate of various types of mental disorders displayed by the examined working males and females increased significantly in the years 2014-2016

Family patterns and suicidal and violent behavior among adolescent girls : genogram analysis

An increase in extreme self-destructive and aggressive behaviors in adolescents has been observed in recent years. Therapeutic effectiveness seems to depend on an adequate recognition of factors that might increase the risk of extreme destructive behaviors. The aim of this study was to identify the family patterns that should draw therapeutic attention due to their importance for suicidal or violent behaviors in adolescent girls. The study involved 140 participants, aged 13–17, including 40 girls after suicide attempts, 40 girls using violence, and 60 girls without destructive behavior at all. The Genograms were used to assess the family structure, relationships between family members, and family projections. The data was analyzed by polynomial logistic regression, analysis of variance, and discriminant analysis. Emotional distance and hidden projections (related to diseases) were the most significant predictors of suicidal behaviors in the studied adolescent girls. Alcohol abuse by significant family members, especially by male family members, and a lesser role of hidden projections, were the most significant predictors of violent behaviors. Interventions designed to reduce risk of destructive behaviors among adolescents need to take account of the specific family patterns

Neuroticism and compulsive overeating : (a comparative analysis of the level of neuroticism and anxiety in a group of females suffering from psychogenic binge eating, and in individuals exhibiting no mental or eating disorders)

Aim. The purpose of the current study was to: 1. conduct a comparative analysis of the level of neuroticism and anxiety in a group of selected females suffering from psychogenic binge eating, and in individuals exhibiting no mental or eating disorders; 2. assess the level of neuroticism as well as measure state and trait anxiety in females suffering from psychogenic binge eating disorder (BED); 3. emphasize the significance of a high level of neuroticism and anxiety in a population of females suffering from compulsive overeating, and to stress the need to apply group insight therapy in the process of treatment of patients diagnosed with BED. Method. A psychometric method was applied to measure the level of psychological traits. The level of neuroticism was examined using the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire. Two states of anxiety: state anxiety and trait anxiety, were measured by means of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), devised by C.D. Spielberger, R.L. Gorsuch, and R.E. Lushene, and adapted into Polish by J. Strelau, T. Tysarczyk, and K. Wrześniowski. Results. Statistical analysis of the data gathered as a result of this research revealed an increased (i.e. inappropriate and thus unhealthy) degree of neuroticism and trait anxiety in the examined females. In contrast, it was discovered that state anxiety level did not increase. Furthermore, a significant difference was traced between the females diagnosed with BED and the individuals comprising a general population, regarding the level of neuroticism. The former were observed to demonstrate an increased (inappropriate) degree of neuroticism as compared to the latter group of research subjects. This seems to explain the predisposition of the BED sufferers towards psychosomatic responses, which often take the form of a subconscious habit of emotional eating as an answer to emotional stimuli and stress. Conclusions. Analysis of the data obtained as a result of this research indicated that the examined overweight females suffering from psychogenic binge eating disorder demonstrated a high degree of emotional instability. The study results seem to point to the fact that evaluation of the level of personality dysfunction, which includes assessing the degree of neuroticism and trait anxiety, constitutes a crucial element of a reliable psychological diagnostic evaluation and effective therapeutic interactions in a group of patients suffering from psychogenic binge eating disorder. It is important to include insight psychotherapy in the treatment of patients diagnosed with BED. Insight psychotherapy is a therapeutic method which allows to facilitate positive changes in the emotional structure of the patient’s personality, and proves to be an effective technique of reducing the symptoms of emotional eating. While undergoing therapy, the patient is encouraged to develop an insight into his or her inner conflicts, and to undertake corrective interactions in emotional relationships with the social environment, which helps the individual create a new pattern of emotional responses. Group insight therapy, based on establishing an emotional bond with the other person, is of considerable significance and seems to be an effective treatment method

A psychological diagnosis of the structure of the body self in a group of selected young Polish females without eating or the mental disorders

Aim. The main aim of this research was to describe psychological characteristics contributing to a variety of ways of experiencing and perceiving one’s own body in a group of selected young Polish females revealing no eating disorders (anorexia or bulimia nervosa, psychogenic binge eating, obesity or overweight) or other mental disturbances. Method. The Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI) devised by Garner, Thompson’s Body Dissatisfaction Inventory, and projective techniques - Thompson’s Silhouette Test and a thematic drawing: “body image”. 100 females aged 20–26 participated in the research. Results. Statistical analysis of the data obtained as a result of this research allowed to distinguish three significantly different clusters (types) in the group of 100 examined females and to make a psychological diagnosis of the body self characteristics in a population of selected females. Three types of psychological profile were distinguished among the examined subjects demonstrating significantly different strength levels of the body self components. Conclusions. A psychological diagnosis of the types of body perception and body-related experiences can support prophylactic activities aimed at preventing eating disorders, and facilitate the process of detectin

A psychological diagnosis of the structure of the body self in a group of selected young Polish females without eating or other mental disorders

Aim. The main aim of this research was to describe psychological characteristics contributing to a variety of ways of experiencing and perceiving one’s own body in a group of selected young Polish females revealing no eating disorders (anorexia or bulimia nervosa, psychogenic binge eating, obesity or overweight) or other mental disturbances. Method. The Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI) devised by Garner, Thompson’s Body Dissatisfaction Inventory, and projective techniques - Thompson’s Silhouette Test and a thematic drawing: "body image". 100 females aged 20-26 participated in the research. Results. Statistical analysis of the data obtained as a result of this research allowed to distinguish three significantly different clusters (types) in the group of 100 examined females and to make a psychological diagnosis of the body self characteristics in a population of selected females. Three types of psychological profile were distinguished among the examined subjects demonstrating significantly different strength levels of the body self components. Conclusions. A psychological diagnosis of the types of body perception and body-related experiences can support prophylactic activities aimed at preventing eating disorders, and facilitate the process of detecting the risk factors behind eating disorders in the population of adolescent girls and young Polish women

Body Image among young females with anorexia nervosa and the structure of body image among their mothers

Aim. A comparative study of body image among young females with anorexia nervosa and their mothers. Method. Contour Drawing Rating Scale – CDRS by J.K Thompson, J. Gray. Results. The results of this research revealed the statistically significant correlation between body image evaluation among mothers and the body perception among their daughters with anorexia nervosa. The correlation refers to the “ideal self” (“what I want to look like”) as well as to the “ought self” (“what I should look like”). Both mothers and daughters aspire to the ideal body image. The women’s desired body shape is slimmer than their current figure which conforms to the age-appropriate norms. When evaluating their bodies, both groups of females take into account the social norms concerning appearance. Conclusions. Culturally and socially influenced perception of body can significantly affect the development of identity in adolescent females and young women, leading to disharmony