Food for Thought: Change in Ego-Dystonicity and Fear of Self in Bulimia Nervosa Over the Course of Inference Based Treatment

Degreeofego-dystonicityinobsessionsisclinicallyrelevanttothe� conceptualizationandtreatmentofeatingdisorders�(EDs).�Obsessive-Compulsive� Disorder� (OCD)� researchhassuggestedthatthetransformationofintrusive� thoughts into obsessions is linked to the degree to which intrusive thoughts threatencoreperceptionsoftheself.�GiventherecognizedoverlapbetweenEDs,� particularlyanorexiaandbulimianervosa�(BN),�andOCDinphenomenologyand� psychological characteristics, a 24-week cognitive inference-based therapy (IBT) programshowntobeeffectiveintreatingOCDwasadaptedtotreatEDs.�This� study explores the change in a.� EDsymptomseverity,� b. The degree of ego-dystonicity in obsessions, and c. Fear of self, motivational, mood and anxiety measures from pre-IBT to six-monthfollow-up.�Changesinego-dystonicity,�fearofself,�EDsymptomsand� motivational stage were assessed in 15 women with BN over the course of IBT and at follow-up. Clinical implications are discussed.