Food for thought: ego-dystonicity and fear of self in eating disorders.
Degree of ego-dystonicity in obsessions is clinically relevant to the conceptualization and treatment of eating disorders (EDs). Obsessive-compulsive disorder research has suggested that the transformation of intrusive thoughts into obsessions is linked to the degree to which intrusive thoughts threaten core perceptions of the self. This study aims to explore the relationship between the ego-dystonic nature of obsessions in ED patients and a fear of self, the link between ED symptom severity and ego-dystonicity in obsessions, and differences between non-clinical and individuals with EDs in the presence of ego-dystonic thoughts and a fear of self. Ego-dystonicity (Ego-dystonicity Questionnaire (EDQ)) and feared self (Fear of Self Questionnaire (FSQ)) degrees were measured in a clinical sample (n = 57 with EDs) and a non-clinical sample (n = 45). EDQ and FSQ scores were highly correlated in both samples. EDQ scores were not significantly correlated to ED symptom severity with the exception of the EDQ Irrationality subscale, which was strongly related to compulsion severity. Participants with an ED had significantly higher EDQ and FSQ scores compared with controls.
Research Center, OCD Spectrum Study Center, Montreal Mental Health University Institute, Canada; University of Montreal, Canada.
Magali
M
Purcell Lalonde
Kieron
K
O'Connor
Frederick
F
Aardema
Jennifer S
JS
Coelho
D000328:Adult; D003192:Compulsive Behavior; D004532:Ego; D005239:Fear; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders; D008875:Middle Aged; D009770:Obsessive Behavior / Q000175:diagnosis; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013850:Thinking
eating disorders; ego-dystonicity; fear of self; obsessive-compulsive disorder