Intrusive images, autobiographical memories, and core beliefs of patients with an eating disorder

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the characteristics and content of intrusive images in patients with eating disorders, and test the relations between intrusive images, core beliefs and autobiographical memories. As an exploratory aim, patients with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorders were compared on the level of dissociation associated with intrusive images. Self-report questionnaire data were collected from 85 patients with an eating disorder. Most participants (91.7%) experienced intrusive images related to body weight and shape and self-worth, and results confirms that these images were highly distressing and vivid. We found that intrusive images were linked to autobiographical memories, and that negative and distressing intrusive images were positively associated with negative core beliefs. Eating disorder subtypes did not differ on the level of dissociation associated with intrusive images. Our findings point to the potential importance of targeting intrusive images or autobiographical memories in the treatment of eating disorders.