Conceptualizing eating disorder psychopathology using an anxiety disorders framework: Evidence and implications for exposure-based clinical research

Registered report: Initial development and validation of the eating disorders safety behavior scale

“…Existing theoretical models have suggested the possibility of shared mechanisms across anxiety and eating pathology (Pallister & Waller, 2008; Schaumberg et al, 2021). Safety behaviors, or behaviors that function to prevent a feared outcome or to manage anxiety (Salkovskis, 1991), are commonly thought to maintain anxiety‐based symptoms over time alongside overt avoidance behaviors (Helbig‐Lang & Petermann, 2010; Wells et al, 1995).…”

“…Second, core ED symptoms (e.g., fear of fatness; restrictive eating) share characteristics with anxiety disorders, such as avoidance, worry/repetitive thought, and behavioral inhibition (Pallister & Waller, 2008). Finally, while mechanistic research in EDs remains limited, reviews have highlighted the potential for shared maintenance processes across both EDs and anxiety, such as avoidance behaviors and problems with learning (Pallister & Waller, 2008; Schaumberg et al, 2021). There have been calls to revisit the use of anxiety‐based treatments for EDs (Butler & Heimberg, 2020; Murray et al, 2016; Reilly, Anderson, Gorrell, Schaumberg, & Anderson, 2017).…”

Mindfulness‐based interventions for eating disorders: The potential to mobilize multiple associative‐learning change mechanisms

“…We propose that MBIs are promising for EDs given their potential to mobilize multiple associative‐learning change mechanisms —adaptive processes of change involving Pavlovian or operant learning (Murray et al, 2018; Schaumberg et al, 2020). First, we review the theorized role of Pavlovian and operant learning in EDs.…”

Weight misperception and its associations with eating disorder symptoms over the course of residential eating disorder treatment

“…Individuals with eating disorders often have significant body dissatisfaction and report perceptual body image distortions that may drive subsequent eating disorder symptoms (Boehm et al, 2016;Fairburn, Cooper, & Shafran, 2003;Skrzypek, Wehmeier, & Remschmidt, 2001;Waldman, Loomes, Mountford, & Tchanturia, 2013). Indeed, the transdiagnostic cognitive behavioral theory (CBT) of eating disorders and more recent anxiety conceptualizations have emphasized how misperceptions about one's weight and shape may contribute to the maintenance of eating disorders (Fairburn et al, 2003;Schaumberg et al, 2021;Waller, Turner, Tatham, Mountford, & Wade, 2019). For example, intense fears of gaining weight due to over-evaluation of weight and shape may cause one to avoid weighing themselves or excessively weight check as a means of decreasing anxiety about their weight.…”

“…For example, intense fears of gaining weight due to over-evaluation of weight and shape may cause one to avoid weighing themselves or excessively weight check as a means of decreasing anxiety about their weight. However, in doing so, individuals may develop unrealistic perceptions about their weight or weight trajectory, amplifying their fears and eating disorder behaviors (Schaumberg et al, 2021;Waller et al, 2019). Thus, addressing avoidance of and/or biased thinking about weight is considered a key component of CBT for eating disorders (Schaumberg et al, 2021;Waller et al, 2007;Waller et al, 2019;Waller & Mountford, 2015).…”