The relationship between alexithymia, depression, and axis II psychopathology in eating disorder inpatients

Author(s): Sunday, S. R., Hurt, S., Halmi, K. A.

Journal/Book: Int J Eating Disorder. 1998; 23: 605 Third Ave, New York, NY 10158-0012. John Wiley & Sons Inc. 277-286.

Abstract: Objective: The major purpose of this study was to examine alexithymia in relationship to depression and Axis II psychopathology in eating disorder patients. Method: Fifty-three female inpatients representing three DSM IV ea ting disorder diagnostic groups and 14 control subjects completed the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS) the Eating Disorder Inventory-a, and the Beck Depression Inventory within the first week of their hospital admission and shortly before discharge. Structured Clinical Interviews for DSM-III-R (SCID) I and II were also conducted. Multiple regression analyses were used to determine the contribution of mood, diagnostic, and personality variables in predicting the alexithymia score. Results and Discussion: After controlling for depression, only the TAS factor, ''difficulty expressing feelings,'' remained significantly different between groups, with the anorexia nervosa-restrictors (AN-R) having significantly higher scores than controls and bulimia nervosa patients. This factor appears to be a relatively stable personality characteristic in AN-R. The level of depression and the presence of avoidant personality disorder were the most predictable variables for the alexithymia total score.

Note: Article Halmi KA, Cornell Univ, New York Hosp, Med Ctr, Dept Psychiat, 21 Bloomingdale Rd, White Plains,NY 10605 USA

Keyword(s): eating disorders; alexithymia; psychopathology; ANOREXIA-NERVOSA; BULIMIA-NERVOSA; PERSONALITY-DISORDERS; SCALE; COMORBIDITY; VALIDATION; WOMEN

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