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- Dakanalis, Antonios, et al.
(author)
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Body-image distortion in anorexia nervosa
- 2016
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In: NATURE REVIEWS DISEASE PRIMERS. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2056-676X. ; 2
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)
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| 3. |
- Dakanalis, Antonios, et al.
(author)
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Predictors of initiation and persistence of recurrent binge eating and inappropriate weight compensatory behaviors in college men
- 2016
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In: International Journal of Eating Disorders. - : Wiley. - 0276-3478 .- 1098-108X. ; 49:6, s. 581-590
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- ObjectiveThe transition to college is considered as a risk period for the development of behavioral symptoms of eating disorders (BSEDs) and some evidence suggests that, amongst men, these symptoms occurring on a regular basis remain relatively stable over the college period. Nevertheless, little is known about factors associated with persistent engagement in and initiation of recurrent (or regular) binge eating and inappropriate weight compensatory behaviors in this population. The objective of this report was to address these research gaps. MethodData were examined from 2,555 male first-year college students who completed an assessment of potential vulnerability factors and BSEDs at the beginning of the autumn semester (baseline) and nine months later (end of the spring semester; follow-up). ResultsElevated negative affectivity, body dissatisfaction, self-objectification, and lower self-esteem at baseline were predictive of persistent engagement in regular binge eating and four compensatory behaviors (self-induced vomiting, laxative/diuretic abuse, fasting, exercise) at follow-up, as well as initiation of all these behaviors occurring regularly (i.e., at least weekly for 3 months). Self-objectification (thinking and monitoring the body's outward appearance from a third-person perspective) emerged as the largest contributor of both the initiation and persistence of all behavioral symptoms. DiscussionData emphasize that the same psychological factors underlie initiation and persistence of recurrent BSEDs and should shape the focus of future interventions for college men.
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| 7. |
- Gaudio, Santino, et al.
(author)
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White matter abnormalities in treatment-naive adolescents at the earliest stages of Anorexia Nervosa : A diffusion tensor imaging study
- 2017
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In: Psychiatry Research. - : Elsevier. - 0925-4927 .- 1872-7506. ; 266, s. 138-145
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Few studies have examined white matter (WM) integrity in long-lasting Anorexia Nervosa (AN) patients using Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI). In this paper, we investigated WM integrity at the earliest stages of AN (i.e. less than 6 months duration). Fourteen treatment-naive female adolescents with AN restrictive type (AN-r) in its earliest stages and 15 age-matched healthy females received brain MRI. Fractional Anisotropy (FA), Axial Diffusivity (AD), Radial diffusivity (RD), and Mean Diffusivity (MD) maps were computed from DTI data using Tract-Based Spatial Statistics analysis. AN-r patients showed FA decreases compared to controls (p(FwE) < 0.05) mainly in left anterior and superior corona radiata and left superior longitudinal fasciculus. AN-r patients also showed decreased AD in superior longitudinal fasciculus bilaterally and left superior and anterior corona radiata, (p(FwE) < 0.05). No significant differences were found in RD and MD values between the two groups. FA and AD integrity appears to be specifically affected at the earliest stages of AN. Alterations in the microstructural properties of the above mentioned tracts, also involved in cognitive control and visual perception and processing, may be early mechanisms of vulnerability/resilience of WM in AN and sustain the key symptoms of AN, such as impaired cognitive flexibility and body image distortion.
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| 8. |
- Paniccia, Maria Francesca, et al.
(author)
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Alexithymia in parents and adolescents with generalised anxiety disorder
- 2018
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In: Clinical Psychologist. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1328-4207 .- 1742-9552. ; 22:3, s. 336-343
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: The relationship between generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) and alexithymia has been poorly studied in adolescents. The present study examined the alexithymia levels in adolescents with GAD and their parents compared with healthy control participants (adolescents and their parents).Method: The sample included 300 participants: 50 adolescents with GAD and 50 healthy adolescents, 13-18 years of age, and their 200 parents (100 mothers and 100 fathers). The Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children was performed to evaluate adolescents' mental health while the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale was performed to assess alexithymia levels in both adolescents and their parents.Results: Adolescents with GAD showed a significantly higher rate of alexithymia when compared with control adolescents. The mothers of adolescents with GAD showed an alexithymia score higher than did the controls' mothers. The fathers of the two groups showed no differences of in their rate of alexithymia. Moreover, in the clinical sample, adolescent and maternal alexithymia scores were not correlated, while significant directed correlations were found between these adolescents and their own fathers.Conclusions: Our findings show an association between GAD and alexithymia in adolescents. A significant presence of alexithymic traits in the mothers of the patients with GAD was shown. An intergenerational transmission of alexithymia could be supposed but this cannot be a linear mechanism. The assessment of alexithymia in adolescents with psychological disorders, and in their parents, could be useful to plan a more targeted therapeutic approach.
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| 9. |
- Serino, Silvia, et al.
(author)
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A Novel Technique for Improving Bodily Experience in a Non-operable Super-Super Obesity Case
- 2016
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In: Frontiers in Psychology. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 1664-1078. ; 7
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction: The available clinical guidelines for super-super obese patients (i.e., with body mass index (BMI) 60 kg/m(2)) that are not suitable for bariatric surgery mandate a palliative multidisciplinary treatment (i.e., production and maintenance of weight loss) provided in a center of excellence. However, the modality and the impact of this approach are still controversial. Moreover, it is not able to address the high level of body dissatisfaction and body distortions that are common among these patients. Clinical Presentation: We report the case of a non-operable super-super obesity - a 37 year old woman with a BMI of 62 kg/m(2) - receiving a specialized treatment for her obstructive sleep apnea. She entered a multidisciplinary program that promoted healthy behaviors, including physical activities and psychological intervention. To improve body dissatisfaction, which was linked to a significant multisensory impairment of body perception, she also entered a virtual reality (VR) body-swapping illusion protocol. At the end of the current investigation, the patient continued her multidisciplinary program, reporting an increase in the motivation for undertaking healthy behavior and a decrease in the anxiety feelings associated with her clinical condition. Conclusion: This case provides preliminary evidence that both body dissatisfaction and body-size distortions of non-operable super-super obesity patients could be addressed by a VR body-swapping protocol, which is important because the palliative multidisciplinary treatment recommended for these patients is not able to address them. Interestingly, the use of a VR body-swapping illusion protocol seems to be able to improve not only the experience of the body in these patients but their motivation for change, too.
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