Abstract
Background: Recent studies have highlighted the relationship between EDs and COVID-19 and have shown how the change in daily dynamics and lifestyle together with the forced isolation regime have worked as psychopathological risk factors. Prolonged isolation, as an effect of the lockdown, has generated anxieties and fears related to the loss of control, increasing food restrictions. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on symptoms, body image and the relationship between the onset of symptoms and the second block of the pandemic period. Methods: A total of 14 female patients (mean age = 18.71; SD = 5.59) with anorexia nervosa in treatment before the COVID-19 outbreak contributed to this study. The evaluation included the EDI-3, BUT and Disgust Scale-R questionnaires for general psychopathology, personality and ED severity indexes. Results: A total of 30% of patients reported increased symptoms during lockdown, and 88.2% passed the clinical cut-off on the general psychological maladaptation scale (EDI-3–GPMC > 26p), showing widespread dissatisfaction with body image and increased diet-related stress. Conclusions: Preliminary data on these specific vulnerability factors combined with stressful situations—in our case, the isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic—can help in the design of personalized preventive and therapeutic approaches.
Highlights
Many studies [1–5] have analyzed various factors associated with changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic that could affect the risk of developing symptoms related to eating disorders (EDs)
The limitations and social restrictions implemented to reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection have negatively influenced the quality of life (QoL) of people and, often, have been the cause of the onset or worsening of symptoms related to eating disorders related to a negative body image [2]
Table 2): all participants in our sample had clinical scores of pathological severity on the Global Severity Index (BUT–GSI ≥ 1.2), which indicates the clinical and pathological presence of body image distortion; the Weight Phobia scale (BUT–WP ≥ 1.2), which evaluates an individual’s concern about weight; and the Depersonalization scale (BUT–D ≥ 1.2), which investigates the presence of feelings of detachment and alienation from one’s own body
Summary
Many studies [1–5] have analyzed various factors associated with changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic that could affect the risk of developing symptoms related to eating disorders (EDs). The authors suggested that the factors involved might include a decrease in adaptive coping strategies and an increased risk related to social limitations and changing daily routines. The limitations and social restrictions implemented to reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection have negatively influenced the quality of life (QoL) of people and, often, have been the cause of the onset or worsening of symptoms related to eating disorders related to a negative body image [2]. Recent studies have highlighted the relationship between EDs and COVID-19 and have shown how the change in daily dynamics and lifestyle together with the forced isolation regime have worked as psychopathological risk factors. As an effect of the lockdown, has generated anxieties and fears related to the loss of control, increasing food restrictions
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