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Gander M, Buchheim A, Sevecke K. Personality Disorders and Attachment Trauma in Adolescent Patients with Psychiatric Disorders. Res Child Adolesc Psychopathol 2024; 52:457-471. [PMID: 37889355 PMCID: PMC10896792 DOI: 10.1007/s10802-023-01141-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
This study examined how personality disorders (PD) differ with respect to gender, attachment status and traumatic childhood experiences in adolescent psychiatric inpatients. In particular, we investigated attachment-related traumatic material underlying adolescent PD. Our sample consisted of 175 inpatient adolescents aged 14 to 18 years (77% female, Mage = 15.13, SD = 1.35; 23% male, Mage =14.85, SD = 1.41). Thirty-nine patients (22%) fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for a PD according to the SCID-II PD: 51% avoidant, 13% obsessive-compulsive, 13% antisocial, 19% borderline, 2% paranoid and 2% histrionic. In the total sample, eighty-three (47%) of our inpatients were classified with an unresolved attachment status using the Adult Attachment Projective Picture System (AAP). We did not find any significant gender differences for patients with and without a PD. Our results revealed a higher percentage of unresolved attachment status in patients with a PD. The in-depth analysis of the total sample showed that patients with a PD demonstrated more traumatic material in their attachment interviews indicating a greater severity of attachment trauma. Furthermore, patients with a PD reported higher scores on emotional and physical neglect. Intervention strategies targeting traumatic attachment-related themes might be useful to treat adolescents with PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Gander
- Institute of Psychology, University of Innsbruck, Universitätsstrasse 5-7, Innsbruck, 6020, Austria.
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Tirol Kliniken, Milserstrasse 10, 6060 Hall in Tirol, Tirol, Austria.
| | - Anna Buchheim
- Institute of Psychology, University of Innsbruck, Universitätsstrasse 5-7, Innsbruck, 6020, Austria
| | - Kathrin Sevecke
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Tirol Kliniken, Milserstrasse 10, 6060 Hall in Tirol, Tirol, Austria
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, 6020, Austria
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Gander M, Buchheim A, Kohlböck G, Sevecke K. Unresolved attachment and identity diffusion in adolescence. Dev Psychopathol 2024:1-10. [PMID: 38305076 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579424000014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
This study examined the severity of unresolved attachment underlying adolescent identity diffusion. Our sample consisted of 180 inpatient adolescents aged 14 to 18 years (77% female, M age = 15.13, SD = 1.35; 23% male, M age = 14.85, SD = 1.41) and 84 age-matched non-clinical adolescents (52% female, M age = 16.14, SD = 1.21; 48% males, M age = 15.98, SD = 1.07). We used the Adult Attachment Projective Picture System (AAP) interview to assess attachment representations and the Assessment of Identity Development in Adolescence (AIDA) questionnaire to evaluate the severity of identity diffusion. Our results demonstrate a higher amount of unresolved attachment and identity diffusion in the patient sample than in the control sample. Furthermore, patients with an unresolved attachment status scored higher on identity diffusion than those with no unresolved attachment pattern. Interestingly, this was not found in the control group. Furthermore, patients with a greater severity of unresolved attachment showed the highest maladaptive identity development scores. Psychotherapeutic interventions integrating attachment-related aspects might be useful to treat young people with identity diffusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Gander
- University of Innsbruck, Institute of Psychology, Innsbruck, Austria
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Tirol Kliniken, Hall in Tirol, Austria
| | - Anna Buchheim
- University of Innsbruck, Institute of Psychology, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Gabriele Kohlböck
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Tirol Kliniken, Hall in Tirol, Austria
| | - Kathrin Sevecke
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Tirol Kliniken, Hall in Tirol, Austria
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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Sader M, Waiter GD, Williams JHG. The cerebellum plays more than one role in the dysregulation of appetite: Review of structural evidence from typical and eating disorder populations. Brain Behav 2023; 13:e3286. [PMID: 37830247 PMCID: PMC10726807 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.3286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Dysregulated appetite control is characteristic of anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), and obesity (OB). Studies using a broad range of methods suggest the cerebellum plays an important role in aspects of weight and appetite control, and is implicated in both AN and OB by reports of aberrant gray matter volume (GMV) compared to nonclinical populations. As functions of the cerebellum are anatomically segregated, specific localization of aberrant anatomy may indicate the mechanisms of its relationship with weight and appetite in different states. We sought to determine if there were consistencies in regions of cerebellar GMV changes in AN/BN and OB, as well as across normative (NOR) variation. METHOD Systematic review and meta-analysis using GingerALE. RESULTS Twenty-six publications were identified as either case-control studies (nOB = 277; nAN/BN = 510) or regressed weight from NOR data against brain volume (total n = 3830). AN/BN and OB analyses both showed consistently decreased GMV within Crus I and Lobule VI, but volume reduction was bilateral for AN/BN and unilateral for OB. Analysis of the NOR data set identified a cluster in right posterior lobe that overlapped with AN/BN cerebellar reduction. Sensitivity analyses indicated robust repeatability for NOR and AN/BN cohorts, but found OB-specific heterogeneity. DISCUSSION Findings suggest that more than one area of the cerebellum is involved in control of eating behavior and may be differentially affected in normal variation and pathological conditions. Specifically, we hypothesize an association with sensorimotor and emotional learning via Lobule VI in AN/BN, and executive function via Crus I in OB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Sader
- Biomedical Imaging CentreUniversity of AberdeenAberdeenUK
| | | | - Justin H. G. Williams
- Biomedical Imaging CentreUniversity of AberdeenAberdeenUK
- School of MedicineGriffith UniversityGold CoastQueenslandAustralia
- Gold Coast Mental Health and Specialist ServicesGold CoastQueenslandAustralia
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Gander M, Lenhart L, Steiger R, Buchheim A, Mangesius S, Birkl C, Haid-Stecher N, Fuchs M, Libal A, Dabkowska-Mika A, Gizewski ER, Sevecke K. Attachment Trauma Is Associated with White Matter Fiber Microstructural Alterations in Adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa before and after Exposure to Psychotherapeutic and Nutritional Treatment. Brain Sci 2023; 13:brainsci13050798. [PMID: 37239270 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13050798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
In the present study, we explore the role of attachment for microstructural white matter (WM) changes in adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN) before and after exposure to short-term and nutritional treatment. The case sample consisted of 22 female adolescent inpatients with AN (mean age: 15.2 ± 1.2 years) and the control sample were 18 gender-matched healthy adolescents (mean age: 16.8 ± 0.9 years). We performed a 3T MRI in the patient group during the acute state of AN and after weight restoration (duration: 2.6 ± 1 months) and compared the data to a healthy control group. To classify attachment patterns, we used the Adult Attachment Projective Picture System. In the patient sample, over 50% were classified with an attachment trauma/unresolved attachment status. Prior to treatment exposure, fractional anisotropy (FA) reductions and concordant mean diffusivity (MD) increases were evident in the fornix, the corpus callosum and WM regions of the thalamus, which normalized in the corpus callosum and the fornix post-therapy in the total patient sample (p < 0.002). In the acute state, patients with an attachment trauma demonstrated significant FA decreases compared to healthy controls, but no MD increases, in the corpus callosum and cingulum bilaterally, which remained decreased after therapy. Attachment patterns seem to be associated with region-specific changes of WM alterations in AN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Gander
- Institute of Psychology, Leopold-Franzens-University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Tirol Kliniken, 6060 Hall in Tirol, Austria
| | - Lukas Lenhart
- Department of Neuroradiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Ruth Steiger
- Department of Neuroradiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
- Neuroimaging Research Core Facility, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Anna Buchheim
- Institute of Psychology, Leopold-Franzens-University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Stephanie Mangesius
- Department of Neuroradiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
- Neuroimaging Research Core Facility, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Christoph Birkl
- Department of Neuroradiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
- Neuroimaging Research Core Facility, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Nina Haid-Stecher
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Tirol Kliniken, 6060 Hall in Tirol, Austria
| | - Martin Fuchs
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Tirol Kliniken, 6060 Hall in Tirol, Austria
| | - Anna Libal
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Tirol Kliniken, 6060 Hall in Tirol, Austria
| | - Agnieszka Dabkowska-Mika
- Department of Neuroradiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
- Neuroimaging Research Core Facility, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Elke Ruth Gizewski
- Department of Neuroradiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
- Neuroimaging Research Core Facility, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Kathrin Sevecke
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Tirol Kliniken, 6060 Hall in Tirol, Austria
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
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Sjögren M, Lichtenstein MB, Støving RK. Trauma Experiences Are Common in Anorexia Nervosa and Related to Eating Disorder Pathology but Do Not Influence Weight-Gain during the Start of Treatment. J Pers Med 2023; 13:jpm13050709. [PMID: 37240879 DOI: 10.3390/jpm13050709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The main characteristics of Anorexia Nervosa (AN) in adults are restriction of energy intake relative to requirements leading to significant weight loss, disturbed body image, and intense fear of becoming fat. Traumatic experiences (TE) have been reported as common, although less is known about the relationship with other symptoms in severe AN. We investigated the presence of TE, PTSD, and the relation between TE, eating disorder (ED) symptoms, and other symptoms in moderate to severe AN (n = 97) at admission to inpatient weight-restoration treatment. All patients were enrolled in the Prospective Longitudinal all-comer inclusion study on Eating Disorders (PROLED). METHODS TE were assessed using the Post-traumatic stress disorder checklist, Civilian version (PCL-C), and ED symptoms using the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q); depressive symptoms were assessed using the Major Depression Inventory (MDI), and the presence of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) was diagnosed according to ICD-10 criteria. RESULTS The mean score on PCL-C was high (mean 44.6 SD 14.7), with 51% having a PCL-C score at or above 44 (n = 49, suggested cut-off for PTSD), although only one individual was clinically diagnosed with PTSD. There was a positive correlation between baseline scores of PCL-C and EDE-Q-global score (r = 0.43; p < 0.01) as well as of PCL-C and all EDE-Q subscores. None of the included patients were admitted for treatment of TE/PTSD during the first 8 weeks of treatment. CONCLUSIONS In a group of patients with moderate to severe AN, TE were common, and scores were high, although only one had a diagnosis of PTSD. TE were related to ED symptoms at baseline, but this association diminished during the weight restoration treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magnus Sjögren
- Eating Disorder Research Unit, Psychiatric Center Ballerup, 2750 Ballerup, Denmark
- Institute for Clinical Science, Sundsvall Regional Hospital, Umeå University, 851 86 Sundsvall, Sweden
| | - Mia Beck Lichtenstein
- Center for Eating Disorders, Odense University Hospital, 5000 Odense, Denmark
- Research Unit for Medical Endocrinology, Odense University Hospital, 5230 Odense, Denmark
- Mental Health Services in the Region of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark
- Clinical Institute, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Rene Klinkby Støving
- Center for Eating Disorders, Odense University Hospital, 5000 Odense, Denmark
- Research Unit for Medical Endocrinology, Odense University Hospital, 5230 Odense, Denmark
- Mental Health Services in the Region of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark
- Clinical Institute, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark
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