Interpersonal Motives in Anorexia Nervosa: The Fear of Losing One's Autonomy

Abstract

The present findings suggest that a pronounced motive of avoiding dependency may be a vulnerability factor for anorexia nervosa that is disorder-specific and trait-like. Frustrations of this motive seem to be associated with psychopathology.

Emotion generation and regulation in anorexia nervosa: A systematic review and meta-analysis of self-report data

“…Following recovery, avoidance of emotion-provoking situations and loneliness reduces to levels reported by HCs . Drive to seek social pleasure and intimacy, and dissatisfaction over relationship intimacy/ dependency significantly improves following recovery from AN but not to levels reported by HCs (Brockmeyer et al, 2013;Harney et al, 2014;Harrison et al, 2014).…”

“…People with AN report finding socio-emotional stimuli threatening, avoid dependency, loss of autonomy, or intimacy and have high interpersonal distrust relative to HCs (Brockmeyer et al, 2013;Hambrook & Tchanturia, 2008;Hartmann, Zeeck, & Barrett, 2010;Lobera, Estébanez, Fernández, Bautista, & Garrido, 2009). They are more likely than HCs to experience dissatisfaction and frustration over social goals, such as not achieving intimacy or not avoiding dependency in social relationships where desired (Brockmeyer et al, 2013) and do not find spending time with others a useful distraction from stressful situations (Nagata, Matsuyama, Kiriike, Iketani, & Oshima, 2000).…”

“…They are more likely than HCs to experience dissatisfaction and frustration over social goals, such as not achieving intimacy or not avoiding dependency in social relationships where desired (Brockmeyer et al, 2013) and do not find spending time with others a useful distraction from stressful situations (Nagata, Matsuyama, Kiriike, Iketani, & Oshima, 2000).…”

Neurobiological signature of intimacy in anorexia nervosa

“…Furthermore, AN patients and their mothers show insecure attachment styles (Ward et al, ). Avoidance of dependency was demonstrated in ill and recovered AN (REC) patients in self‐report questionnaires, and motivation for intimacy was higher in REC (Brockmeyer et al, ).…”

Essbegleitung für Patienten mit Essstörungen: Eine Umfrage zur Versorgungspraxis an deutschen Essstörungszentren

“…Vervielfältigung nur mit Zustimmung des Verlages. Vorgehen das Selbstwert-und Autonomie-Erleben der Patienten fördern kann, was insbesondere in der Behandlung der Anorexia nervosa einen zentralen Stellenwert einnimmt[18,19]. Darüber hinaus können Nahrungsmittelexposition mit Reaktionsverhinderung, essensbezogene Achtsamkeitsübungen und Entspannungsverfahren eine sinnvolle Ergänzung des Gesamtbehandlungsprogramms darstellen[13][14][15].…”