ABSTRACT
This study examines the relationships between alexithymia and psychological characteristics and behaviors that are commonly associated with eating disorders. The 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) and the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI) were administered to a group of 48 female patients with anorexia nervosa, a matched comparison group of 30 normal women, and an unmatched comparison group of 116 male and 118 female university students. In the anorexic and male student groups, the TAS-20 correlated significantly and positively with the EDI subscales, Ineffectiveness, Interpersonal Distrust, Interoceptive Awareness, and Maturity Fears. The TAS-20 correlated significantly only with Interpersonal Distrust in the matched comparison group, and only with Ineffectiveness and Interpersonal Distrust in the female student group. The results suggest that alexithymia is related to several psychological traits that are characteristic of patients with eating disorders and thought to play a role in the development of the disorders but is unrelated to attitudes and behaviors concerning abnormal eating and body weight and shape.
Subject(s)
Affective Symptoms/psychology , Feeding and Eating Disorders/psychology , Personality Inventory , Adult , Anorexia/psychology , Body Image , Case-Control Studies , Cross-Sectional Studies , Dependency, Psychological , Discriminant Analysis , Female , Humans , Interpersonal Relations , Male , Self Concept , Sex FactorsABSTRACT
The prevalence of alexithymia in 48 female anorexia nervosa patients was 77.1% compared with a prevalence of 6.7% in 30 normal female subjects, matched by age and education. Alexithymia correlated negatively with education in the anorexic patient group, but was unrelated to duration of illness, amount of weight loss, and levels of depression and of general psychoneurotic pathology.
Subject(s)
Affective Symptoms/psychology , Anorexia Nervosa/psychology , Hospitalization , Adult , Affective Symptoms/diagnosis , Anorexia Nervosa/diagnosis , Diet, Reducing/psychology , Fantasy , Female , Humans , Imagination , Personality InventoryABSTRACT
This study examined 20 patients with anorexia nervosa using a projective test with a quantitative scoring system (the SAT9), and an indirect measure of symbolic function (the interoceptive awareness subscale of the EDI). The findings support the clinical observation that patients with anorexia nervosa are often arrested developmentally, and are without the ability to deal adequately with the anxieties created by the process of maturation. The results of this study have significance for the psychotherapy techniques used in the treatment of these patients.
Subject(s)
Anorexia Nervosa/psychology , Symbolism , Adult , Anorexia Nervosa/therapy , Art , Body Weight , Female , Humans , Hyperphagia/psychology , Male , Projective TechniquesABSTRACT
Platelet 3H-imipramine binding was examined in a cross-sectional study of 70 Caucasian women in pregnancy and the early post-partum period, and in 23 nonpregnant women of childbearing age. Mood was also assessed in the pregnancy and post-partum sample. No significant differences in number of binding sites (Bmax) were found, but an increase in the equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) was demonstrated at 5-7 days post-partum.
Subject(s)
Imipramine/metabolism , Postpartum Period , Pregnancy , Adult , Blood Platelets/metabolism , Emotions/physiology , Female , Humans , TritiumABSTRACT
Morbid grief patterns are frequently recognized and intervention initiated only after death has taken place. However, where the eventuality of death is recognized, the relationships of the dying person should be examined rather than left to chance. Where necessary, intervention should appropriately begin prior to the event of death. The dying and the bereaved person should, to some extent, collaborate in the grieving process. A comparison is made with the perinatal period where the relationship to the foetus influences both the birth and the subsequent parent-child bonding.
