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Abstract Background Delusional characteristics have been largely ignored in patients suffering from anorexia nervosa (AN). Objectives To review the literature on delusional features in AN from phenomenological, neurobiological, and clinical viewpoints. Methods Data were obtained through searches of Medline, PubMed, SciELO and Cochrane Library. Results Distorted beliefs in AN may range from an overvalued idea to an overt delusion, involving affective, personality and/or psychotic disorders. Studies confirm alterations in monoaminergic systems. It has also been seen a decreased integration of visual/proprioceptive information, and alterations in neural networks involved in body processing. It is known that body image distortion may present "delusional proportions" as a consequence of great concern about body. Concomitantly, "embodied defence hypothesis" has been proposed. Restrictive AN exhibits higher levels of delusionality, and a particular delusional type of AN has been suggested, associated with a worse long-term outcome. Low doses of atypical antipsychotics are recommended combined with cognitive techniques. Discussion Delusional thinking in AN is likely a dynamic and dimensional phenomenon that can vary, both in nature and/or severity, whereas high insight levels, before and after refeeding, result in positive outcomes. Neurobiological research on this topic must be encouraged, since clinical and phenomenological approaches are comparatively more frequently reported.
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Resumen Introducción: Las conductas repetitivas impulsivas orientadas hacia el cuerpo (CRIOC) se caracterizan por el rascado, mordido y/o remoción de uñas, pelos y piel, pudiendo llegar a constituir un desorden mental. El trastorno por excoriación (TE) o dermatilomanía ha sido recientemente incorporado como desorden específico al DSM-5 como parte del espectro obsesivo-compulsivo. Su fenomenología describe una conducta reactiva a la ansiedad, seguida de tensión psíquica progresiva y luego placentera al realizarla, finalizando muchas veces en culpa. Se ha reportado una mayor incidencia de TE en estudiantes universitarios, sin embargo, los estudios en Latinoamérica son escasos. Objetivos: Establecer la frecuencia y las características fenomenológicas de las CRIOC y del TE en población universitaria. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal mediante la aplicación de un cuestionario de autorreporte sobre aspectos relacionados con el TE en estudiantes universitarios. Resultados: 440 estudiantes fueron incluidos. Un 22,2% sintió siempre o casi siempre el impulso de rascar su piel hasta lesionarse; 13,2% ejecutó estas acciones varias veces al día y 4,3% desplegó mucho esfuerzo en resistirlas. Los afectos más frecuentemente asociados fueron culpa, vergüenza, arrepentimiento y autorreproche. Un 24,1% creyó que estos comportamientos fueron anormales y 6,1% que constituyeron una patología. Según criterios DSM-5 y establecidos por los autores, se hallaron cuatro casos compatibles con TE (0,91%), al descartar patologías psiquiátricas y médicas comórbidas. Conclusión: Aunque las CRIOC fueron frecuentes en población universitaria, la frecuencia de TE fue similar a la de la población general, describiendo una fenomenología característica congruente con la reportada por la literatura.
Introduction: Body-focused repetitive impulsive behaviors (BFRIB) are characterized by skin, nail and hair removing, scratching and/or biting, that configurate a mental disorder in some cases. Excoriation disorder (ED) or dermatillomania has been recently added as a specific disorder in DSM-5 obsessive-compulsive spectrum. Its phenomenology describes a behavior that emerges from anxiety, followed by a progressive psychic tension and then a pleasurable sensation, concluding in many times in guilt. Evidence has reported a greater incidence of ED in college students; however, studies in Latin America are scarce. Objective: To establish frequence and phenomenological features of BFRIB and ED in college students. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study through the application of a self-administered questionnaire about ED aspects in college students. Results: 440 students were included; 22.2% felt always or almost always the impulse to scratch their skin until they were injured; 13.2% made these actions many times a day and 4.3% deployed considerable efforts in resisting them. Most frequent reported affects were guilt, shame, repentance, and self-reproach; 24.1% thought these behaviors were abnormal and 6.1% considered they constitute a pathology. According to DSM-5 and authors' criteria, four cases of ED were found (0.91%), when psychiatric and medical comorbidities were discarded. Conclusion: Although BFRIB were frequent in college students, dermatillomania frequency was similar to general population. A characteristic phenomenology was described, similar to the evidence reported one.