Impaired processing of self-face recognition in anorexia nervosa.

Body image disturbances and massive weight loss are major clinical symptoms of anorexia nervosa (AN). The aim of the present study was to examine the influence of body changes and eating attitudes on self-face recognition ability in AN. Twenty-seven subjects suffering from AN and 27 control participants performed a self-face recognition task (SFRT). During the task, digital morphs between their own face and a gender-matched unfamiliar face were presented in a random sequence. Participants' self-face recognition failures, cognitive flexibility, body concern and eating habits were assessed with the Self-Face Recognition Questionnaire (SFRQ), Trail Making Test (TMT), Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) and Eating Disorder Inventory-2 (EDI-2), respectively. Subjects suffering from AN exhibited significantly greater difficulties than control participants in identifying their own face (p = 0.028). No significant difference was observed between the two groups for TMT (all p > 0.1, non-significant). Regarding predictors of self-face recognition skills, there was a negative correlation between SFRT and body mass index (p = 0.01) and a positive correlation between SFRQ and EDI-2 (p < 0.001) or BSQ (p < 0.001). Among factors involved, nutritional status and intensity of eating disorders could play a part in impaired self-face recognition.

[Prevalence and impact of post-traumatic stress disorder in a disordered eating population sample]. / Prévalence et impact de l'état de stress post-traumatique chez les patients atteints de troubles du comportement alimentaire.

OBJECTIVE: Eating disorders (ED) are associated with a higher prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, the impact they may have on the clinical features and severity of the ED remains unknown. In this study, we assessed the prevalence and the impact of PTSD in a disordered eating population sample. METHODS: We recruited patients with eating disorders during a period of 6 months, in 2014. The patients underwent a semistructured diagnostic interview by trained psychiatrists. The severity of eating behaviours and PTSD was assessed using the Eating Disorder Inventory 2 and the Impact of Event Scale - Revised. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty patients (57 patients with anorexia nervosa, 26 with bulimia nervosa, 18 with eating disorder not otherwise specified and 29 with binge eating disorder) were included. Our analyses revealed a PTSD rate of 33.9% in patients with ED. No difference was observed between the ED subtypes. Severity of ED was significantly higher among patients suffering from PTSD. Specific clinical characteristics of the ED-PTSD association have been found. Analyses revealed a significantly higher level of insecurity, interpersonal distrust, impulsivity and a decrease of interoceptive awareness. DISCUSSION: The frequency and negative impact of PTSD on ED reinforce the need for a systematic clinical evaluation and the implementation of specific care.