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Elwyn R, Adams M, Sharpe SL, Silverstein S, LaMarre A, Downs J, Burnette CB. Discordant conceptualisations of eating disorder recovery and their influence on the construct of terminality. J Eat Disord 2024; 12:70. [PMID: 38831456 PMCID: PMC11145809 DOI: 10.1186/s40337-024-01016-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Eating disorders (EDs) are complex, multifaceted conditions that significantly impact quality-of-life, often co-occur with multiple medical and psychiatric diagnoses, and are associated with a high risk of medical sequelae and mortality. Fortunately, many people recover even after decades of illness, although there are different conceptualisations of recovery and understandings of how recovery is experienced. Differences in these conceptualisations influence categorisations of ED experiences (e.g., longstanding vs. short-duration EDs), prognoses, recommended treatment pathways, and research into treatment outcomes. Within recent years, the proposal of a 'terminal' illness stage for a subset of individuals with anorexia nervosa and arguments for the prescription of end-of-life pathways for such individuals has ignited debate. Semantic choices are influential in ED care, and it is critical to consider how conceptualisations of illness and recovery and power dynamics influence outcomes and the ED 'staging' discourse. Conceptually, 'terminality' interrelates with understandings of recovery, efficacy of available treatments, iatrogenic harm, and complex co-occurring diagnoses, as well as the functions of an individual's eating disorder, and the personal and symbolic meanings an individual may hold regarding suffering, self-starvation, death, health and life. Our authorship represents a wide range of lived and living experiences of EDs, treatment, and recovery, ranging from longstanding and severe EDs that may meet descriptors of a 'terminal' ED to a variety of definitions of 'recovery'. Our experiences have given rise to a shared motivation to analyse how existing discourses of terminality and recovery, as found in existing research literature and policy, may shape the conceptualisations, beliefs, and actions of individuals with EDs and the healthcare systems that seek to serve them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosiel Elwyn
- Neuroscience and psychiatry, Thompson Institute, Birtinya, QLD, Australia
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Birtinya, QLD, Australia
| | | | - Sam L Sharpe
- Fighting Eating Disorders in Underrepresented Populations (FEDUP, Collective), West Palm Beach, FL, USA
| | | | | | | | - C Blair Burnette
- Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, Lansing, MI, USA.
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Downs J. Care pathways for longstanding eating disorders must offer paths to recovery, not managed decline. BJPsych Bull 2024; 48:177-181. [PMID: 37287111 PMCID: PMC11134004 DOI: 10.1192/bjb.2023.38] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Eating disorders are historically underserved in healthcare, but are increasingly prevalent and recognised for their high costs regarding mortality, quality of life and the economy. Those with longstanding eating disorders are commonly labelled 'severe and enduring' (SEED), which has been challenged for its conceptual vagueness and potential to discourage patients. Attempts to define individuals from this cohort as having 'terminal' illness have also gained traction in recent years. This paper is grounded in lived/living experience and relevant research. It challenges the logical coherence and utility of SEED, arguing that the word 'enduring' unhelpfully situates intractability of longstanding illness within patients themselves and the nature of their illness. This risks a sense of inevitability and overlooks the important role of contextual factors such as lacking resources and insufficient evidence for withholding active treatment. Recommendations suggest approaches to dismantling unhelpful binaries between early intervention and intensive support, recovery and decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Downs
- Patient Representative, Faculty of Eating Disorders, Royal College of Psychiatrists, UK
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Robison M, Udupa NS, Abber SR, Duffy A, Riddle M, Manwaring J, Rienecke RD, Westmoreland P, Blalock DV, Le Grange D, Mehler PS, Joiner TE. "Terminal anorexia nervosa" may not be terminal: An empirical evaluation. JOURNAL OF PSYCHOPATHOLOGY AND CLINICAL SCIENCE 2024; 133:285-296. [PMID: 38619462 PMCID: PMC11062513 DOI: 10.1037/abn0000912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Gaudiani et al. (2022) presented terminal anorexia nervosa (T-AN) as a potential new specifier to the anorexia nervosa (AN) diagnosis, with criteria including (a) AN diagnosis, (b) age > 30 years, (c) previously participated in high-quality care, and (d) the clear, consistent determination by a patient with decision-making capacity that additional treatment would be futile, knowing death will result. This study's purpose was to empirically examine a subgroup of participants with AN who met the first three criteria of T-AN-and a smaller subset who also met a proxy index of the fourth criterion involving death (TD-AN)-and compare them to an adult "not terminal" anorexia nervosa (NT-AN) group and to a "not terminal" subset 30 years of age or older (NTO-AN). Patients at U.S. eating disorder treatment facilities (N = 782; T-AN: n = 51, TD-AN: n = 16, NT-AN: n = 731, NTO-AN: n = 133), all of whom met criteria for a current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition diagnosis of AN, were compared regarding admission, discharge, and changes from admission to discharge on physiological indices (i.e., white blood cell counts, albumin levels, aspartate aminotransferase levels, and body mass index), as well as self-report measures (i.e., eating disorder, depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms). In contrast to the tight syndromal symptom interconnections of, and inevitable spiral toward death expected for, a terminal diagnosis, results suggest substantial variability within the T-AN group and TD-AN subset, and an overall trend of improvement across physiological and self-report measures. This study thus provides some empirical evidence against the specification of the T-AN diagnosis. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Alan Duffy
- Eating Recovery Center, Denver, Colorado, United States
- Pathlight Mood and Anxiety Center, Denver, Colorado, United States
| | - Megan Riddle
- ACUTE at Denver Health, Denver, Colorado, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington
| | - Jamie Manwaring
- Eating Recovery Center, Denver, Colorado, United States
- Pathlight Mood and Anxiety Center, Denver, Colorado, United States
- ACUTE at Denver Health, Denver, Colorado, United States
| | - Renee D. Rienecke
- Eating Recovery Center, Denver, Colorado, United States
- Pathlight Mood and Anxiety Center, Denver, Colorado, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University
| | | | - Dan V. Blalock
- Center of Innovation to Accelerate Discovery and Practice Transformation, Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine
| | - Daniel Le Grange
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California San Francisco School of Medicine
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, The University of Chicago
| | - Philip S. Mehler
- Eating Recovery Center, Denver, Colorado, United States
- Pathlight Mood and Anxiety Center, Denver, Colorado, United States
- ACUTE at Denver Health, Denver, Colorado, United States
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine
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Kiely L, Conti J, Hay P. Anorexia nervosa through the lens of a severe and enduring experience: 'lost in a big world'. J Eat Disord 2024; 12:12. [PMID: 38254163 PMCID: PMC10804804 DOI: 10.1186/s40337-023-00953-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Severe and enduring anorexia nervosa (SE-AN), is a serious and persistent illness, despite 'state of the art' treatment. Criteria have been theoretically proposed, but not tested, and may not adequately capture illness complexity, which potentially inhibits treatment refinements. The clinical reality of death as an outcome for some people who experience SE-AN (1 in 20) and broadening access to voluntary assisted dying, further complicates the field, which is undeveloped regarding more fundamental concepts such as nosology, treatment, recovery definitions and alternative conceptualisations of SE-AN. The present paper is in response to this and aims to build upon qualitative literature to enhance phenomenological understandings of fatal SE-AN. METHOD A published book, being the legacy of a 32-year-old professional artist offers a rich account of a life lived with AN, for 18 years with continuous treatment. A polysemous narrative via the interrelationship between the languages of the artist's words and visual art is translated via interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), offering rich insight into the SE-AN experience. FINDINGS The process of analysis induced three superordinate themes (1) Disappearing Self (2) Dialectical Dilemma (3) Death and Dying: Finding Meaning. Two cross cutting themes traversed these themes: (a) Colour and (b) Shifting Hope, where the former produced a visual representation via the 'SE-AN Kaleidoscope'. Collectively the themes produce a concept of SE-AN, grounded in the data and depicted visually through the artist's paintings. CONCLUSIONS The picture of SE-AN revealed in the analysis extends upon conceptualisations of SE-AN, highlighting key processes which are thus far under explored. These factors are implicated in illness persistence eliciting opportunities for further research testing including diagnostic considerations and treatment directions. In SE-AN, distorted body image extends to a global distortion in the perception of self. Additional criteria for the severe and enduring stages of illness related to (1) self and identity processes (2) measures of 'global impoverishment' across life domains are proposed for consideration in the future testing of putative defining features of SE-AN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Kiely
- School of Medicine, Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Janet Conti
- School of Psychology, Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Phillipa Hay
- School of Medicine, Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia
- Mental Health Services, Camden and Campbelltown Hospitals, SWSLHD, Campbeltown, NSW, 2560, Australia
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Cummings MP, Alexander RK, Boswell RG. "Ordinary days would be extraordinary": The lived experiences of severe and enduring anorexia nervosa. Int J Eat Disord 2023; 56:2273-2282. [PMID: 37732708 DOI: 10.1002/eat.24058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Approximately 25% of individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN) experience a chronic form of the disorder, referred to as severe and enduring anorexia nervosa (SE-AN). Although the classification of SE-AN remains preliminary, there have been increasing calls for a harm reduction-based, collaborative treatment model for these patients. To provide such care for patients with SE-AN, it is critical to listen to and learn from their lived experiences. METHOD Patients (N = 17) admitted to an inpatient eating disorders program who met initial criteria for SE-AN completed semi-structured interviews about the course of their illness and prior treatment episodes. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed. Data were analyzed using an inductive, reflexive approach to thematic analysis that examined common themes within and across interviews. RESULTS Three themes were identified focused on (1) the all-encompassing nature of SE-AN, (2) treatment experiences, and (3) living with chronic illness. Within these themes, there were subthemes. Overall, individuals noted clear insight about their condition, both negative and positive experiences with previous treatment, and hope for better quality of life despite their illness. DISCUSSION Individuals with SE-AN describe their illness as a chronic condition and hope for a harm reduction-based treatment. Future work, including the lived experiences of individuals with SE-AN, is important to build our understanding of the classification and clinical characteristics of SE-AN and to develop treatment approaches that may best serve these individuals. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE Many people with anorexia nervosa do not achieve a full recovery despite repeated treatment episodes throughout their lifespan. Understanding the lived experiences of individuals with SE-AN may help to inform future treatment development efforts that could improve eating disorder and quality of life outcomes for these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melinda Parisi Cummings
- Graduate Counseling Psychology Department, Holy Family University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Robbi K Alexander
- Princeton Center for Eating Disorders, Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center, Plainsboro, New Jersey, USA
| | - Rebecca G Boswell
- Princeton Center for Eating Disorders, Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center, Plainsboro, New Jersey, USA
- Department of Psychology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
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Yang Y, Conti J, McMaster CM, Piya MK, Hay P. "I Need Someone to Help Me Build Up My Strength": A Meta-Synthesis of Lived Experience Perspectives on the Role and Value of a Dietitian in Eating Disorder Treatment. Behav Sci (Basel) 2023; 13:944. [PMID: 37998690 PMCID: PMC10669240 DOI: 10.3390/bs13110944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Dietitians are included in eating disorder (ED) treatment teams for their expertise in nutrition. However, little is known about an individual's experience of dietetic intervention as part of their ED treatment and what they value as part of dietetic care. Therefore, the aim of this review was to synthesise the available qualitative literature to understand the role and value of a dietitian in ED treatment from the perspective of individuals with lived experience. Six databases and Google Scholar were searched and a thematic synthesis and meta-synthesis of fifteen studies were conducted. Four themes were constructed from the data: (1) "guidance and structure"-Provision of nutrition knowledge and skills; (2) "having all my bases covered"-Dietitians as part of a multidisciplinary team; (3) Challenges in nutritional treatment; and (4) "it was my treatment and my recovery"-Person-centred dietetic treatment. Across all identified themes was the cross-cutting theme of a shared treatment journey between the dietitian and the individual receiving treatment. These findings support dietitians having a role that is not limited only to the provision of nutrition treatment in ED care and illustrates the importance of dietitians engaging with clients by centring on the individual's needs and preferences. Further understanding helpful dietetic treatment components and identifying gaps in training is needed to develop these broader roles for dietetic care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yive Yang
- Translational Health Research Institute, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia; (Y.Y.); (J.C.); (M.K.P.)
| | - Janet Conti
- Translational Health Research Institute, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia; (Y.Y.); (J.C.); (M.K.P.)
- School of Psychology, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2750, Australia
| | - Caitlin M. McMaster
- Sydney School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia;
- Eating Disorder and Nutrition Research Group (ENRG), Translational Health Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia
- South Western Sydney Local Health District, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia
- Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia
| | - Milan K. Piya
- Translational Health Research Institute, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia; (Y.Y.); (J.C.); (M.K.P.)
- Camden and Campbelltown Hospitals, South Western Sydney Local Health District, Liverpool, NSW 2560, Australia
| | - Phillipa Hay
- Translational Health Research Institute, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia; (Y.Y.); (J.C.); (M.K.P.)
- Camden and Campbelltown Hospitals, South Western Sydney Local Health District, Liverpool, NSW 2560, Australia
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Phillipou A. The importance of terminology, lived experience inclusion and scientific discussion regarding end-of-life care in anorexia nervosa: a response to Gaudiani et al. J Eat Disord 2023; 11:145. [PMID: 37626431 PMCID: PMC10464040 DOI: 10.1186/s40337-023-00872-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Whether or not to define 'terminal anorexia nervosa' has been a hotly debated topic in the eating disorders field recently. Being able to have open scientific debate on important topics such as this is essential for the progress of our field-but needs to be undertaken respectfully, allowing all perspectives to be heard. My personal perspective on this topic comes from being a researcher who sees individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN) across all stages of illness and recovery, as well as having had a loved one die from AN. Although I disagree with the terminology of 'terminal AN' and believe that establishing criteria has the potential to cause harm, I strongly believe in showing compassion to individuals with AN across all illness stages, including those who may wish to seek end-of-life care. This is a complex issue that our field requires guidance on, and we need to work in genuine collaboration with individuals with lived experience of AN to figure out how to appropriately approach end-of-life care when it is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Phillipou
- Orygen, 35 Poplar Rd, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, 3052, Australia.
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
- Department of Mental Health, St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.
- Department of Mental Health, Austin Health, Melbourne, Australia.
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia.
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Kiely L, Conti J, Hay P. Conceptualisation of severe and enduring anorexia nervosa: a qualitative meta-synthesis. BMC Psychiatry 2023; 23:606. [PMID: 37596588 PMCID: PMC10439651 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-05098-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Severe and enduring anorexia nervosa (SE-AN) is amongst the most impairing of all mental illnesses. Collective uncertainties about SE-AN nosology impacts treatment refinement. Qualitative research, particularly lived experience literature, can contribute to a process of revision and enrichment of understanding the SE-AN experience and further develop treatment interventions. Poor outcomes to date, as evidenced in clinical trials and mortality for people with SE-AN (1 in 20) demonstrate the need for research that informs conceptualisations and novel treatment directions. This interpretative, meta-ethnographic meta-synthesis aimed to bridge this gap. METHODS A systematic search for qualitative studies that explored the AN experiences of people with a duration of greater than 3 years was undertaken. These studies included those that encompassed phenomenology, treatment experiences and recovery. RESULTS 36 papers, comprising 382 voices of SE-AN experiences informed the meta-ethnographic findings. Four higher order constructs were generated through a synthesis of themes and participant extracts cited in the extracted papers: (1) Vulnerable sense of self (2) Intra-psychic processes (3) Global impoverishment (4) Inter-psychic temporal processes. Running across these meta-themes were three cross cutting themes (i) Treatment: help versus harm, (ii) Shifts in control (iii) Hope versus hopelessness. These meta-themes were integrated into conceptualisations of SE-AN that was experienced as a recursive process of existential self-in-relation to other and the anorexia nervosa trap. CONCLUSIONS The alternative conceptualisation of SE-AN proposed in this paper poses a challenge to current conceptualisations of AN and calls for treatments to engage with the complex intra and inter-psychic processes of the SE-AN, more fully. In doing so, clinicians and researchers are asked to continue to be bold in testing novel ideas that may challenge our own rigidity and attachment to dominant paradigms to best serve the individual person with SE-AN. The 'global impoverishment of self', found in this synthesis of AN experiences, should inform proposed diagnostic criteria for SE-AN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Kiely
- School of Medicine, Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Janet Conti
- School of Psychology, Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Phillipa Hay
- School of Medicine, Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University. Mental Health Services, Camden and Campbelltown Hospitals, SWSLHD, Campbeltown, NSW, Australia
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Moldokulova Z, Molchanova ES, Kosterina EV. Anorexia nervosa through the lens of primary health care practitioners in the Kyrgyz Republic. CONSORTIUM PSYCHIATRICUM 2023; 4:41-52. [PMID: 38250649 PMCID: PMC10795955 DOI: 10.17816/cp6184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anorexia nervosa was investigated in a large number of studies. Several of the studies in our review highlighted how important it is to factor in the opinion of health care practitioners if we want to improve the quality of the medical care provided to patients with anorexia nervosa. Additionally, the dominance of studies focused on anorexia nervosa within the Western culture raised the need for cultural diversity in such research. AIM The present study endeavored to explore how primary healthcare practitioners in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, perceive anorexia nervosa and people who suffer from it. METHODS The study used the qualitative approach of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Six semi-structured interviews with six primary health care practitioners from Bishkek were conducted. RESULTS The analysis of the collected data pointed towards four themes: (1) Anorexia nervosa as a reaction to distressing events in the form of loss of appetite; (2) Attributing blame for developing anorexia nervosa by a patient to family members; (3) Local versus Western socio-cultural standards in the development of anorexia nervosa and seeking treatment; and (4) Denial of mental health disorders by patients. CONCLUSION The discussion of the interpreted results led us to the conclusion that the perceptions of the health care providers in Bishkek represent the common prism through which anorexia nervosa is viewed in the larger population, which is constructed out of information received from the physical and virtual environments.
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Clemente-Suárez VJ, Ramírez-Goerke MI, Redondo-Flórez L, Beltrán-Velasco AI, Martín-Rodríguez A, Ramos-Campo DJ, Navarro-Jiménez E, Yáñez-Sepúlveda R, Tornero-Aguilera JF. The Impact of Anorexia Nervosa and the Basis for Non-Pharmacological Interventions. Nutrients 2023; 15:2594. [PMID: 37299557 PMCID: PMC10255390 DOI: 10.3390/nu15112594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Anorexia nervosa is a psychiatric disorder with an unknown etiology that is characterized by an individual's preoccupation with their weight and body structure while denying the severity of their low body weight. Due to the fact that anorexia nervosa is multifaceted and may indicate the coexistence of genetic, social, hormonal, and psychiatric disorders, a description of non-pharmacological interventions can be used to ameliorate or reduce the symptoms of this condition. Consequently, the purpose of the present narrative review is to describe the profile's context in the anorexic person as well as the support they would require from their family and environment. In addition, it is aimed at examining preventative and non-pharmacological interventions, such as nutritional interventions, physical activity interventions, psychological interventions, psychosocial interventions, and physical therapy interventions. To reach the narrative review aims, a critical review was conducted utilizing both primary sources, such as scientific publications, and secondary sources, such as bibliographic indexes, web pages, and databases. Nutritional interventions include nutritional education and an individualized treatment for each patient, physical activity interventions include allowing patients to perform controlled physical activity, psychological interventions include family therapy and evaluation of the existence of other psychological disorders, psychosocial interventions include management of the relationship between the patient and social media and physical therapy interventions include relaxation massages and exercises to relieve pain. All these non-pharmacological interventions need to be individualized based on each patient's needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vicente Javier Clemente-Suárez
- Faculty of Sports Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Tajo Street, s/n, 28670 Madrid, Spain; (V.J.C.-S.); (M.I.R.-G.); (J.F.T.-A.)
| | - Maria Isabel Ramírez-Goerke
- Faculty of Sports Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Tajo Street, s/n, 28670 Madrid, Spain; (V.J.C.-S.); (M.I.R.-G.); (J.F.T.-A.)
| | - Laura Redondo-Flórez
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, C/Tajo s/n, Villaviciosa de Odón, 28670 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Ana Isabel Beltrán-Velasco
- Psychology Department, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida y la Naturaleza, Universidad Antonio de Nebrija, 28240 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Alexandra Martín-Rodríguez
- Faculty of Sports Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Tajo Street, s/n, 28670 Madrid, Spain; (V.J.C.-S.); (M.I.R.-G.); (J.F.T.-A.)
| | - Domingo Jesús Ramos-Campo
- LFE Research Group, Department of Health and Human Performance, Faculty of Physical Activity and Sport Science-INEF, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Rodrigo Yáñez-Sepúlveda
- Faculty of Education and Social Sciences, Universidad Andres Bello, Viña del Mar 2520000, Chile;
| | - José Francisco Tornero-Aguilera
- Faculty of Sports Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Tajo Street, s/n, 28670 Madrid, Spain; (V.J.C.-S.); (M.I.R.-G.); (J.F.T.-A.)
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Brewerton TD. The integrated treatment of eating disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder, and psychiatric comorbidity: a commentary on the evolution of principles and guidelines. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1149433. [PMID: 37252137 PMCID: PMC10213703 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1149433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Psychiatric comorbidity is the norm in the assessment and treatment of eating disorders (EDs), and traumatic events and lifetime PTSD are often major drivers of these challenging complexities. Given that trauma, PTSD, and psychiatric comorbidity significantly influence ED outcomes, it is imperative that these problems be appropriately addressed in ED practice guidelines. The presence of associated psychiatric comorbidity is noted in some but not all sets of existing guidelines, but they mostly do little to address the problem other than referring to independent guidelines for other disorders. This disconnect perpetuates a "silo effect," in which each set of guidelines do not address the complexity of the other comorbidities. Although there are several published practice guidelines for the treatment of EDs, and likewise, there are several published practice guidelines for the treatment of PTSD, none of them specifically address ED + PTSD. The result is a lack of integration between ED and PTSD treatment providers, which often leads to fragmented, incomplete, uncoordinated and ineffective care of severely ill patients with ED + PTSD. This situation can inadvertently promote chronicity and multimorbidity and may be particularly relevant for patients treated in higher levels of care, where prevalence rates of concurrent PTSD reach as high as 50% with many more having subthreshold PTSD. Although there has been some progress in the recognition and treatment of ED + PTSD, recommendations for treating this common comorbidity remain undeveloped, particularly when there are other co-occurring psychiatric disorders, such as mood, anxiety, dissociative, substance use, impulse control, obsessive-compulsive, attention-deficit hyperactivity, and personality disorders, all of which may also be trauma-related. In this commentary, guidelines for assessing and treating patients with ED + PTSD and related comorbidity are critically reviewed. An integrated set of principles used in treatment planning of PTSD and trauma-related disorders is recommended in the context of intensive ED therapy. These principles and strategies are borrowed from several relevant evidence-based approaches. Evidence suggests that continuing with traditional single-disorder focused, sequential treatment models that do not prioritize integrated, trauma-focused treatment approaches are short-sighted and often inadvertently perpetuate this dangerous multimorbidity. Future ED practice guidelines would do well to address concurrent illness in more depth.
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Sharpe SL, Adams M, Smith EK, Urban B, Silverstein S. Inaccessibility of care and inequitable conceptions of suffering: a collective response to the construction of "terminal" anorexia nervosa. J Eat Disord 2023; 11:66. [PMID: 37131268 PMCID: PMC10152768 DOI: 10.1186/s40337-023-00791-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Informed by our lived experiences with eating disorders, our work providing direct support to communities underserved by existing healthcare structures, and our commitment to social justice, we are deeply troubled by several aspects of the proposed characteristics for "terminal" anorexia nervosa outlined by Gaudiani et al. in Journal of Eating Disorders (10:23, 2022). We have identified two substantial areas of concern in the proposed characteristics provided by Gaudiani et al. and the subsequent publication by Yager et al. (10:123, 2022). First, the original article and the subsequent publication fail to adequately address the widespread inaccessibility of eating disorder treatment, the lack of parameters for what constitutes "high quality care", and the prevalence of trauma experienced in treatment settings for those who do access treatment. Second, the characteristics proposed for "terminal" anorexia nervosa are constructed largely based on subjective and inconsistent valuations of suffering which build on and contribute to harmful and inaccurate eating disorder stereotypes. Overall, we believe these proposed characteristics in their current form stand to detract from, rather than assist, the ability of patients and providers to make informed, compassionate, and patient-centered decisions about safety and autonomy both for individuals with enduring eating disorders and for individuals with more recently diagnosed eating disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam L Sharpe
- Fighting Eating Disorders in Underrepresented Populations (FEDUP) Collective, 4400 North Congress Avenue Suite 100, West Palm Beach, FL, 33407, USA.
| | - Marissa Adams
- Fighting Eating Disorders in Underrepresented Populations (FEDUP) Collective, 4400 North Congress Avenue Suite 100, West Palm Beach, FL, 33407, USA
| | - Emil K Smith
- Fighting Eating Disorders in Underrepresented Populations (FEDUP) Collective, 4400 North Congress Avenue Suite 100, West Palm Beach, FL, 33407, USA
| | - Bek Urban
- Fighting Eating Disorders in Underrepresented Populations (FEDUP) Collective, 4400 North Congress Avenue Suite 100, West Palm Beach, FL, 33407, USA
| | - Scout Silverstein
- Fighting Eating Disorders in Underrepresented Populations (FEDUP) Collective, 4400 North Congress Avenue Suite 100, West Palm Beach, FL, 33407, USA
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