Critical incidents in anorexia nervosa

Abstract

<p>Background: Although social-emotional difficulties are believed play a key role in anorexia nervosa (AN), there is uncertainty regarding what these difficulties might look like. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to ask about critical events in the lives of people with experience of AN. Method: Thirty-four participants aged 16-48 with current or past AN completed an online survey describing critical positive and difficult events.Results: When discussing positive critical events, many participants talked about Moments of celebration, which involved increased external focus, but the majority talked about Unexpected positive outcomes, which revealed some negative biases. Difficult events were broadly divided into eating disorder (ED) related and Non-ED life events, the former of which involved discussion of how the illness caused conflict and distress, difficulties with ED-services, and the challenges surrounding having to face the illness. Interestingly, relational conflict which solidified some participants negative expectations of other was identified in both ED-related and Non-ED related difficult events.Discussion: The findings suggest that AN is characterised by negative emotionality and information processing biases. However, reduced self-focused attention and increased “big-picture” thinking, and shifting negative expectation may be helpful in AN and could be useful targets for further research.</p>