Potential link between body dysmorphic disorder symptoms and alexithymia in an eating-disordered treatment-seeking sample

Fenwick, Andrea Siân; Sullivan, Karen A.

doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2011.07.011

Cited by 28 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 60 publications

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“…This latter point confirms recent findings by other authors 28,29. We add that the presence of purging behaviors does not appear to influence affect dysregulation, as no statistically significant differences were found among the three different groups (AN, BN, and EDNOS) on the TAS 20 scale and on its subscales.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

The relationship between alexithymia, shame, trauma, and body image disorders: investigation over a large clinical sample

Franzoni¹,

Gualandi²,

Caretti³

et al. 2013

NDT

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BackgroundThe connections between eating disorders (EDs) and alexithymia have not been fully clarified. This study aims to define alexithymia’s connections with shame, trauma, dissociation, and body image disorders.MethodsWe administered the Dissociative Experience Scale-II, Trauma Symptom Inventory, Experience of Shame Scale, Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20, and Body Uneasiness Test questionnaires to 143 ED subjects. Extensive statistical analyses were performed.ResultsThe subjects showed higher scores on alexithymia, shame, dissociation, and traumatic feelings scales than the nonclinical population. These aspects are linked with each other in a statistically significant way. Partial correlations highlighted that feelings of shame are correlated to body dissatisfaction, irrespective of trauma or depressed mood. Multiple regression analysis demonstrates that shame (anorexic patients) and perceived traumatic conditions (bulimic and ED not otherwise specified) are associated with adverse image disorders.ConclusionShame seems to hold a central role in the perception of an adverse self-image. Alexithymia may be interpreted as being a consequence of previous unelaborated traumatic experiences and feelings of shame, and it could therefore be conceptualized as a maladaptive–reactive construct.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

The relationship between alexithymia, shame, trauma, and body image disorders: investigation over a large clinical sample

Franzoni¹,

Gualandi²,

Caretti³

et al. 2013

NDT

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Several studies have shown a relationship between alexithymia and different psychiatric disorders, such as depression (Honkalampi et al, 2009;Son et al, 2012;Taylor et al, 1999), eating and body dysmorphic disorders (Fenwick & Sullivan, 2011;Guttman & Laporte, 2002;Karukivi et al, 2010;Speranza et al, 2005), somatoform pain disorder (Burba et al, 2006), migraine (Cerutti et al, 2016;Gatta et al, 2015) and dissociation (Grabe, Rainermann, Spitzer, Gänsicke, & Freyberger, 2000). Moreover, Mennin, Heimberg, Turk, and Fresco (2005) showed that adults who met diagnostic criteria for generalised anxiety disorders (GADs) reported a higher intensity of emotional experience, higher tendency to express negative emotions and less ability to self-soothe after negative emotions than did controls.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Alexithymia in parents and adolescents with generalised anxiety disorder

Paniccia

Gaudio

Puddu

et al. 2018

Clinical Psychologist

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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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“…109 Body dysmorphic disorder has been linked to alexithymia. 110 Consistent with bias in the small self-selected sample, the overall rate of alexithymia was over 3 times higher than seen in the general population. 111 There was, moreover, no association between TA B L E 4 Quality rating 23 of published studies that have shown negligible physical and psychological effects of MC and studies claiming a detrimental effect…”

Section: Alexithymiamentioning

confidence: 77%

“…Psychiatric problems appeared to be more common in men unhappy at having been circumcised . Body dysmorphic disorder has been linked to alexithymia . Consistent with bias in the small self‐selected sample, the overall rate of alexithymia was over 3 times higher than seen in the general population .…”

Section: Physical Harmmentioning

confidence: 78%

Critical evaluation of arguments opposing male circumcision: A systematic review

Morris

Moreton²,

Krieger

2019

J Evidence Based Medicine

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Objective To systematically evaluate evidence against male circumcision (MC). Methods We searched PubMed, Google Scholar, EMBASE and Cochrane databases. Results Database searches retrieved 297 publications for inclusion. Bibliographies of these yielded 101 more. After evaluation we found: Claims that MC carries high risk were contradicted by low frequency of adverse events that were virtually all minor and easily treated with complete resolution. Claims that MC causes psychological harm were contradicted by studies finding no such harm. Claims that MC impairs sexual function and pleasure were contradicted by high‐quality studies finding no adverse effect. Claims disputing the medical benefits of MC were contradicted by a large body of high‐quality evidence indicating protection against a wide range of infections, dermatological conditions, and genital cancers in males and the female sexual partners of men. Risk‐benefit analyses reported that benefits exceed risks by 100‐200 to 1. To maximize benefits and minimize risks, the evidence supported early infant MC rather than arguments that the procedure should be delayed until males are old enough to decide for themselves. Claims that MC of minors is unethical were contradicted by balanced evaluations of ethical issues supporting the rights of children to be provided with low‐risk, high‐benefit interventions such as MC for better health. Expert evaluations of case‐law supported the legality of MC of minors. Other data demonstrated that early infant MC is cost‐saving to health systems. Conclusions Arguments opposing MC are supported mostly by low‐quality evidence and opinion, and are contradicted by strong scientific evidence.

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Potential link between body dysmorphic disorder symptoms and alexithymia in an eating-disordered treatment-seeking sample

Cited by 28 publications

References 60 publications

The relationship between alexithymia, shame, trauma, and body image disorders: investigation over a large clinical sample

The relationship between alexithymia, shame, trauma, and body image disorders: investigation over a large clinical sample

Alexithymia in parents and adolescents with generalised anxiety disorder

Critical evaluation of arguments opposing male circumcision: A systematic review

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