Examining the association between deficits in self-concept clarity and eating disorder severity.

Objective: We sought to (1) compare self-concept clarity (SCC; the degree to which a person possesses a confidently defined, internally consistent, and stable sense of self) between female participants with and without eating disorders, (2) examine associations between SCC deficits and severity of eating disorder specific and related psychopathology in individuals with eating disorders, and (3) determine if there is a unique association between SCC deficits and eating disorder severity, controlling for related psychopathology.

Method: Participants (M age = 23.16 years) with eating disorders (n = 121) and controls (n = 63) completed semi-structured clinical interviews and self-report assessments.

The potential role of stimulants in treating eating disorders.

Background: Many individuals with eating disorders remain symptomatic after a course of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy; therefore, the development of innovative treatments is essential.

Method: To learn more about the current evidence for treating eating disorders with stimulants, we searched for original articles and reviews published up to April 29, 2021 in PubMed and MEDLINE using the following search terms: eating disorders, anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, stimulants, amphetamine, lisdexamfetamine, methylphenidate, and phentermine.

Results: We propose that stimulant medications represent a novel avenue for future research based on the following: (a) the relationship between eating disorders and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); (b) a neurobiological rationale; and (c) the current (but limited) evidence for stimulants as treatments for some eating disorders.

The costs and benefits of intensive day treatment programs and outpatient treatments for eating disorders: An idea worth researching.

Outpatient care (e.g., individual, group, or self-help therapies) and day treatment programs (DTPs) are common and effective treatments for adults with eating disorders.

A feasibility study evaluating lisdexamfetamine dimesylate for the treatment of adults with bulimia nervosa.

Objective: This study examined the feasibility, safety, and potential efficacy of lisdexamfetamine (LDX) as a treatment for adults with bulimia nervosa (BN).

Method: An open-label 8-week feasibility study was conducted in participants with BN. Enrollment rate, dropout rate, safety outcomes, and eating disorder symptom change were examined.

Understanding the effects of reductionist biological views of eating disorder etiology on patient attitudes and behavior.

While eating disorders were historically considered to be a result of psychological or environmental causes, current evidence suggests that eating disorders are the product of complex gene-environment interactions wherein heritable vulnerabilities are activated by multiple exposures to environmental stimuli over the lifespan. Despite the fact that this integrated biopsychosocial etiological view of eating disorders is accepted among many professionals in the eating disorder field, evidence suggests that the general public and some clinicians are susceptible to dualist, or reductionist, views of psychopathology. Currently, little is known about (a) the prevalence of reductionist biological views of eating disorder etiology in those with eating disorders (this view attributes the cause of eating disorders to predominantly biological factors but does not acknowledge psychosocial factors as important contributors), (b) the effects of reductionist biological views on clinical outcomes, and (c) the most effective methods for modifying these views.