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Low oxytocin levels are related to alexithymia in anorexia nervosa
Author(s) -
Schmelkin Cindy,
Plessow Franziska,
Thomas Jennifer J.,
Gray Emily K.,
Marengi Dean A.,
Pulumo Reitumetse,
Silva Lisseth,
Miller Karen K.,
Hadjikhani Nouchine,
Franko Debra L.,
Eddy Kamryn T.,
Lawson Elizabeth A.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
international journal of eating disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.785
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1098-108X
pISSN - 0276-3478
DOI - 10.1002/eat.22784
Subject(s) - alexithymia , anorexia nervosa , oxytocin , psychology , toronto alexithymia scale , borderline personality disorder , social anxiety , anxiety , clinical psychology , eating disorders , psychiatry , neuroscience
Objective Anorexia nervosa is associated with social‐emotional functioning deficits and low levels of the social neurohormone oxytocin, even after weight gain. The relationship between low oxytocin levels and social‐emotional functioning impairment has not been studied. Method We performed a cross‐sectional study of 79 women (19 who were less than 85% of ideal body weight [IBW] with anorexia nervosa [AN], 26 who were 90–120% IBW with a history of AN [AN‐WR], and 34 who were 90–120% IBW with no eating disorder history [H]). We administered the Eating Disorder Examination–Questionnaire (EDE‐Q), Leibowitz Social Anxiety Scale–Self Report (LSAS‐SR), Dimensional Assessment of Personality Pathology–Basic Questionnaire (DAPP‐BQ; suspiciousness and insecure attachment subscales), and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS‐20). We also analyzed fasting serum oxytocin levels. Results Most measures of social‐emotional functioning showed impairment in women with AN and AN‐WR compared to H. Oxytocin levels were low in AN‐WR compared to H. Across groups, low oxytocin levels were associated with difficulty identifying feelings ( r = −.45, p = .008) and overall alexithymia ( r = −.34, p = .0489). Discussion We speculate that low oxytocin levels may contribute to alexithymia in women with anorexia nervosa.