Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 26, 2025
09:55
Use of a Psychophysiological Script-driven Imagery Experiment to Study Trauma-related Dissociation in Borderline Personality Disorder
Published on: March 8, 2018
12.9K
Child Trauma Experiences and Dissociative Symptoms in Women with Eating Disorders: Case-Control Study
María F Rabito-Alcón1, José I Baile1, Johan Vanderlinden2
1Department of Psychology, Open University of Madrid (UDIMA), 28400 Madrid, Spain.
Children (Basel, Switzerland)
|December 9, 2020
Summary
Women with eating disorders report higher childhood trauma and dissociative symptoms compared to controls. This study confirms previous findings in a Spanish sample, highlighting the link between early adversity and eating disorders.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
Background:
- Childhood trauma is prevalent in various psychiatric diagnoses, including eating disorders.
- Early traumatic experiences can significantly impact mental health outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and severity of childhood trauma in individuals with eating disorders.
- To assess dissociative symptoms in patients with eating disorders.
- To compare these findings with a healthy control group.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study design was employed.
- Participants underwent diagnostic interviews (MINI, SCID-II) and questionnaires assessing childhood trauma (CTQ-SF), psychoform dissociation (DES-II), and somatoform dissociation (SDQ-20).
Main Results:
- Individuals with eating disorders exhibited significantly higher severity and prevalence of childhood trauma compared to the control group.
- Distinct differences in dissociative symptoms were observed between the eating disorder and control groups.
Conclusions:
- The findings corroborate previous research, establishing a link between childhood trauma and eating disorders in a Spanish population.
- Dissociative symptoms are also significantly associated with eating disorders.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Dissociative Disorders
276
Dissociative disorders represent complex psychological conditions characterized by disruptions in consciousness, memory, identity, or perception. These disruptions cause individuals to experience a disconnection from their thoughts, emotions, and memories. The phenomenon is not merely an occasional lapse in attention but a profound alteration in mental functioning that can severely impact daily life.
Dissociative Fugue
A hallmark feature of dissociative disorders is the dissociative fugue...
Dissociative Fugue
A hallmark feature of dissociative disorders is the dissociative fugue...
276
01:30Dissociative Identity Disorder
353
Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), previously termed multiple personality disorder, is a complex psychological condition characterized by the presence of two or more distinct identities or personality states. Each identity exhibits unique patterns of behavior, voice, and mannerisms and may possess separate memories and emotional responses. The alternating control between identities can result in memory gaps and challenges in recalling daily activities, often exacerbating the individual's...
353
01:28Anorexia Nervosa
539
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...
539
01:30Bulimia Nervosa
495
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...
495
01:23Binge Eating Disorders
312
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...
312
01:21Dissociative Amnesia
313
Dissociative amnesia is a complex psychological condition that manifests as an inability to recall personal information, often tied to traumatic or stressful events. Unlike general amnesia, individuals with this condition retain the ability to perform routine activities and procedural tasks, such as operating a phone or navigating public transportation, yet experience profound gaps in autobiographical memory. These lapses may encompass significant life events, such as suicide attempts or...
313