Assessment of Insight in Patients with a History of Anorexia Nervosa

Abstract

Background: Insight is a core component in the effective clinical management of psychiatric illnesses including eating disorders. The goal of our investigation was to see if patients with anorexia nervosa had any insight. Methods: Eighteen women previously diagnosed with anorexia nervosa were interviewed to assess their insight and the effects of age, body mass index, lowest adult body mass index, duration of illness, years of formal education, current eating attitudes and behavior, mental health act status, history of abuse and other coexisting mental illnesses on insight. The Eating Attitudes Test-26, a modified version of David's 'Awareness of Illness' Insight Subscale, and the Markova and Berrios Insight Scale were employed. Statistical Package for Social Sciences was used for data analysis and descriptive statistics (SPSS). Results: Low body mass index, longer duration of illness and higher disturbed eating attitudes and behaviors contributed to lowest levels of insight that were measured. History of sexual abuse and the existence of co-morbid mental illnesses appear to be influencing factors in insight in patients with anorexia nervosa. Conclusion: This study looked into the elements that influence insight in those who have had anorexia nervosa. It highlights the difficulty in getting patients to form a therapeutic alliance because many do not see themselves as being ill, the anorexia being ego-syntonic in many cases. Further studies are recommended to better understand patients’ insight in anorexia nervosa.