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Perfectionism in anorexia nervosa
A M Bastiani1, R Rao, T Weltzin
1University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, PA, USA.
The International Journal of Eating Disorders
|March 1, 1995
Summary
Perfectionism is common in anorexia nervosa and persists after weight gain. This self-imposed trait may hinder treatment and lead to relapse, suggesting new assessment scales could track progress.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
- Eating Disorders
Background:
- Perfectionism is widely recognized in anorexia nervosa patients.
- Limited research has characterized the specific nature of perfectionism in this population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess perfectionism in patients with anorexia nervosa using novel multidimensional instruments.
- To investigate whether perfectionism changes after weight restoration.
Main Methods:
- Development and application of two new multidimensional scales to measure perfectionism.
- Assessment of underweight, malnourished anorexia nervosa patients.
Main Results:
- Both scales confirmed high levels of perfectionism in anorexia nervosa patients.
- Perfectionism scores remained elevated even after successful weight restoration.
- Patients perceived their perfectionism as self-imposed, not externally driven.
Conclusions:
- Perfectionism is a persistent, self-driven trait in anorexia nervosa.
- This trait may be linked to rigid, obsessive behaviors contributing to treatment resistance and relapse.
- The developed scales may aid in evaluating treatment response in anorexia nervosa.