Fatal attraction : the relationship between patients and their eating disorders, an interpersonal and attachment perspective
Author: Forsén Mantilla, Emma
Date: 2017-11-24
Location: Hillarpsalen, Retzius väg 8, Karolinska Institutet, Solna
Time: 13.00
Department: Inst för klinisk neurovetenskap / Dept of Clinical Neuroscience
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Thesis (999.8Kb)
Abstract
Eating disorders are severe psychiatric illnesses, causing immense suffering for patients, but
also for their families and friends. Ambivalence about change and treatment resistance are
common, and relapse rates are high. Patients with eating disorders tend to be highly selfcritical
and self-attacking, much more so than other psychiatric populations. In this project
interpersonal- and attachment theoretical principles were applied in an attempt to understand
how and why these disorders are so strongly associated with how patients evaluate and treat
themselves (self-image). The first aim was to study connections between self-image and
eating disorder symptoms in different groups, to learn more about the quality and strength of
such associations (Studies I and II). Further, according to interpersonal theory, we treat
ourselves a certain way because important others, attachment figures primarily, have treated
us that way. Some patients with eating disorders seem to spontaneously conceptualize their
illness as an entity or a voice that they relate to. Therefore, the second aim was to test whether
eating disorders could be re-conceptualized as dyadic relationships, possibly triggering
attachment mechanisms (i.e. guided by the same mechanisms as other important
relationships), and influencing how patients treat themselves as a result (Studies III and IV).
All studies were cross-sectional. In Studies I and II, healthy, non-help-seeking and clinical groups of individuals aged 13-25 rated eating disorder symptoms and self-image. Boys (both healthy and clinical) were included in the first study, but all other samples were female. In Studies III and IV patients rated the relationship between themselves and their illness, attachment behaviours, symptoms and self-image. In Studies I-II, strong associations between specific aspects of self-image (primarily self-blame, and self-acceptance/love inversely) and symptoms were found. These associations were stronger in healthy girls compared to healthy boys, in clinical groups compared to healthy groups and in patients with anorexia nervosa compared to patients with bulimia nervosa. Older age seemed to weaken these associations except in the non-help-seeking group where associations were strong regardless of age. In Study III, patients seemed able to conceptualize their disorders as highly negative and enmeshed dyadic relationships. Higher eating disorder control and patient submission were associated with more severe symptomatology. Patients who reacted negatively toward their eating disorder had less symptoms and more positive self-image. In Study IV, attachment behaviours were correlated with aspects of the patient – eating disorder relationship, and as hypothesised from interpersonal theory and supporting attachment processes being active, for some individuals it seemed as if actions of their eating disorder matched their self-image.
Placing eating disorders within a relational framework offers an explanation for how and why symptoms are related to self-image. It also offers a language that may help some patients and clinicians understand and work towards letting go of the illness. A focus on intrapersonal processes in the patient – eating disorder relationship and their potential connection to attachment-related issues may inform therapist interventions that could facilitate the development of a secure therapeutic relationship, and ultimately aid recovery.
All studies were cross-sectional. In Studies I and II, healthy, non-help-seeking and clinical groups of individuals aged 13-25 rated eating disorder symptoms and self-image. Boys (both healthy and clinical) were included in the first study, but all other samples were female. In Studies III and IV patients rated the relationship between themselves and their illness, attachment behaviours, symptoms and self-image. In Studies I-II, strong associations between specific aspects of self-image (primarily self-blame, and self-acceptance/love inversely) and symptoms were found. These associations were stronger in healthy girls compared to healthy boys, in clinical groups compared to healthy groups and in patients with anorexia nervosa compared to patients with bulimia nervosa. Older age seemed to weaken these associations except in the non-help-seeking group where associations were strong regardless of age. In Study III, patients seemed able to conceptualize their disorders as highly negative and enmeshed dyadic relationships. Higher eating disorder control and patient submission were associated with more severe symptomatology. Patients who reacted negatively toward their eating disorder had less symptoms and more positive self-image. In Study IV, attachment behaviours were correlated with aspects of the patient – eating disorder relationship, and as hypothesised from interpersonal theory and supporting attachment processes being active, for some individuals it seemed as if actions of their eating disorder matched their self-image.
Placing eating disorders within a relational framework offers an explanation for how and why symptoms are related to self-image. It also offers a language that may help some patients and clinicians understand and work towards letting go of the illness. A focus on intrapersonal processes in the patient – eating disorder relationship and their potential connection to attachment-related issues may inform therapist interventions that could facilitate the development of a secure therapeutic relationship, and ultimately aid recovery.
List of papers:
I. Forsén Mantilla, E., Bergsten, K., & Birgegård, A. (2014). Self-image and eating disorder symptoms in normal and clinical adolescents. Eating Behaviors 15(1), 125-131.
Fulltext (DOI)
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II. Forsén Mantilla, E., & Birgegård, A. (2015). The enemy within: The association between self-image and eating disorder symptoms in healthy, non help-seeking and clinical young women. Journal of Eating Disorders, 3:30.
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III. Forsén Mantilla, E., Clinton, D., & Birgegård, A. Insidious: The relationship patients have with their eating disorders and its impact on symptoms, illness duration and self-image. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice. [Submitted]
IV. Forsén Mantilla, E., Clinton, D., & Birgegård, A. (2017). The unsafe haven: Eating disorders as attachment relationships. [Submitted]
I. Forsén Mantilla, E., Bergsten, K., & Birgegård, A. (2014). Self-image and eating disorder symptoms in normal and clinical adolescents. Eating Behaviors 15(1), 125-131.
Fulltext (DOI)
Pubmed
View record in Web of Science®
II. Forsén Mantilla, E., & Birgegård, A. (2015). The enemy within: The association between self-image and eating disorder symptoms in healthy, non help-seeking and clinical young women. Journal of Eating Disorders, 3:30.
Fulltext (DOI)
Pubmed
View record in Web of Science®
III. Forsén Mantilla, E., Clinton, D., & Birgegård, A. Insidious: The relationship patients have with their eating disorders and its impact on symptoms, illness duration and self-image. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice. [Submitted]
IV. Forsén Mantilla, E., Clinton, D., & Birgegård, A. (2017). The unsafe haven: Eating disorders as attachment relationships. [Submitted]
Institution: Karolinska Institutet
Supervisor: Birgegård, Andreas
Co-supervisor: Clinton, David
Issue date: 2017-10-27
Rights:
Publication year: 2017
ISBN: 978-91-7676-816-7
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