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Updated: Aug 26, 2026

Control of Eating Behavior Using a Novel Feedback System
Published on: May 8, 2018
Self-injurious behaviors in eating-disordered patients
L Claes1, W Vandereycken, H Vertommen
1Department of Psychology, Catholic University Leuven, Tiensestraat 102, 3000 Louvain, Belgium. laurence.claes@psy.kuleuven.ac.be
Abstract:
High rates of self-injurious behaviors (SIBs) have been described in eating-disordered patients. The present study in 134 female inpatients suffering from an eating disorder (ED) confirmed this: 44% of the total group reported at least one form of SIB (mostly hair pulling, scratching, cutting, or bruising) with a mean age at onset of 17.5 years. No major differences have been found between the subgroups (anorexics, bulimics). The considerable number of patients who did not feel any pain during SIB showed more tendency towards dissociative experiences. Those who admitted SIB reported higher levels of psychological dysfunctioning, dissociative experiences, and impulsiveness.
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