Emotion recognition and regulation in anorexia nervosa.
It is recognized that emotional problems lie at the core of eating disorders (EDs) but scant attention has been paid to specific aspects such as emotional recognition, regulation and expression. This study aimed to investigate emotion recognition using the Reading the Mind in the Eyes (RME) task and emotion regulation using the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) in 20 women with anorexia nervosa (AN) and 20 female healthy controls (HCs). Women with AN had significantly lower scores on RME and reported significantly more difficulties with emotion regulation than HCs. There was a significant negative correlation between total DERS score and correct answers from the RME. These results suggest that women with AN have difficulties with emotional recognition and regulation. It is uncertain whether these deficits result from starvation and to what extent they might be reversed by weight gain alone. These deficits may need to be targeted in treatment.
Harrison
Amy
A
Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK. amy.harrison@iop.kcl.ac.uk
Sullivan
Sarah
S
Tchanturia
Kate
K
Treasure
Janet
J
D000328:Adult; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000150:complications*; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000523:psychology*; D001364:Awareness; D001828:Body Image; D052018:Bulimia Nervosa / Q000523:psychology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D021641:Recognition, Psychology; D012649:Self Concept; D012938:Social Perception; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires