Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 31, 2026
08:26
Assessing Activity-based Anorexia in Mice
Published on: May 14, 2018
Posttraumatic stress disorder in anorexia nervosa
Mae Lynn Reyes-Rodríguez1, Ann Von Holle, Teresa Frances Ulman
1Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 101 Manning Drive, CB #7160, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7160, USA.
Psychosomatic Medicine
|July 1, 2011
Summary
Anorexia nervosa (AN) frequently co-occurs with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Traumatic events, particularly sexual traumas, often precede AN onset, suggesting a need for trauma assessment in AN treatment.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
- Trauma Studies
Background:
- Comorbidity between eating disorders, trauma, and PTSD is well-documented.
- Understanding the specific relationship between PTSD and anorexia nervosa (AN) is crucial for effective treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize traumatic events in women with AN.
- To investigate the association between PTSD and AN in a female cohort.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from 824 participants in the Genetics of Anorexia Nervosa Collaborative Study.
- Assessed eating disorders, PTSD, and personality characteristics in a sample of 753 women with AN.
Main Results:
- 13.7% of women with AN met criteria for PTSD.
- PTSD was less common in restricting AN compared to purging AN without binge eating.
- Most PTSD cases reported trauma before AN onset, with sexual trauma being most common.
Conclusions:
- AN and PTSD frequently co-occur, with trauma often preceding AN.
- Clinical assessment of trauma history and PTSD is vital for individuals with AN.
- Treatment for AN may require modifications to address co-occurring PTSD psychopathology.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia nervosa is a complex and severe eating disorder characterized by an intense fear of weight gain, an unrelenting pursuit of thinness, and a distorted body image. It often leads to dangerously low body weight relative to an individual's age and height. This disorder is marked by significant physical and psychological consequences, making it one of the most life-threatening psychiatric illnesses.
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...
01:30Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia nervosa is a complex and severe eating disorder characterized by a cyclical pattern of binge-and-purge eating pattern. It generally involves an episode of binge eating, followed by compensatory behaviors such as vomiting, excessive exercise, laxative use, or fasting, to prevent weight gain. Despite often maintaining a normal weight, individuals with bulimia are intensely preoccupied with their body image and harbor an overwhelming fear of gaining weight. This can contribute to the...
01:27Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric condition that arises following exposure to traumatic events such as natural disasters, forced displacement, or severe accidents. It significantly impairs individuals' ability to cope with daily activities and disrupts their emotional and psychological equilibrium.
Symptoms and Behavioral Manifestations
A spectrum of distressing symptoms characterizes PTSD. Recurrent flashbacks, where individuals involuntarily relive traumatic events, are a...
Symptoms and Behavioral Manifestations
A spectrum of distressing symptoms characterizes PTSD. Recurrent flashbacks, where individuals involuntarily relive traumatic events, are a...
01:23Binge Eating Disorders
Binge eating disorder is a significant mental health condition characterized by recurrent episodes of excessive food consumption within a short period, accompanied by a perceived loss of control over eating behavior. Unlike occasional overeating, binge eating disorder is marked by distressing emotions such as guilt, shame, and anxiety following binge episodes. The disorder affects individuals across different ages and backgrounds, with profound implications for physical and psychological...
01:27Panic Disorder
Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent and sudden minutes-long episodes of intense fear, known as panic attacks. These attacks may feel like heart attacks and often happen without warning or a specific cause. They can include symptoms such as rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, chest pain, trembling, sweating, dizziness, and a sense of helplessness. During a panic attack, individuals may feel as though they are experiencing a heart attack or are in a...
01:28Social Anxiety Disorder
Social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, is characterized by an intense fear of social situations where one might face humiliation, rejection, embarrassment, or negative evaluation. This disorder leads individuals to avoid activities like casual conversations, public speaking, or seemingly simple tasks such as eating, signing documents, or swimming, in public settings. Its impact extends beyond discomfort, often significantly interfering with daily functioning and quality of life.