Treating PTSD with Imagery Rescripting in underweight eating disorder patients: a multiple baseline case series study

Abstract

Plain English summary The present study was the first to investigate treatment of posttraumatic stress symptoms, such as re-experiences and flash backs, in underweight eating disorder patients. This research is important because these patients: Often do not receive treatment for trauma symptoms while they are underweight. Have worse eating disorder treatment results than patients without posttraumatic stress disorder. Patients and patient organisations have for years expressed the wish that posttraumatic stress disorder be treated during the weight gaining phase of eating disorder treatment. The results of this study are important because they show that treatment for trauma is possible for patients that are underweight. Ten patients received trauma treatment. Trauma and eating disorder symptoms were measured before, during and after treatment. We tested whether trauma symptoms were reduced during and after treatment. This research was done because patients requested posttraumatic stress disorder treatment while they were underweight. Previous patients were involved in the development of the interview and all participants were interviewed about their experiences. The findings will be published and presented at eating disorder conferences attended by patients.

Keywords

• Anorexia nervosa
• Underweight
• Post traumatic stress disorder
• IMagery ReScripting