Eating disorders and trauma

The aim of the project is understanding the relationship between trauma and ED by focusing on the prevalence and impact of trauma in ED patients (Backholm, Isomaa & Birgegård, 2013), and on PTSD, psychological distress and timing of trauma (Isomaa, Backholm & Birgegård, 2015).

The present study utilizes data from the naturalistic Stepwise quality assurance database, an Internet-based data collection system for specialized ED care in Sweden. Measures included in the Project encompass Structured ED Interview (SEDI), Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV axis I (SCID-I), Comprehensive Psychiatric Rating Scale, self-rated version of the affective subscales (CPRS-S-A), Structural Analysis of Social Behavior (SASB, 3rd surface, self-image), EDs Examination Questionnaire (EDEQ), and The Clinical Impairment Assessment (CIA version 3.0).

The aim of the project is understanding the impact of trauma history in eating disorder patients.

One fifth of the study participants had experienced at least one traumatic event. The most common form of reported trauma type was sexual trauma. We found no significant differences in trauma prevalence between diagnostic groups. Participants who reported a traumatic event had in general a more severe symptom profile.