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Cognitions and Emotions in Eating Disorders

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Behavioral Neurobiology of Eating Disorders

Part of the book series: Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences ((CTBN,volume 6))

Abstract

The cognitive model of eating disorders (EDs) states that the processing of external and internal stimuli might be biased in mental disorders. These biases, or cognitive errors, systematically distort the individual’s experiences and, in that way, maintains the eating disorder. This chapter presents an updated literature review of experimental studies investigating these cognitive biases. Results indicate that ED patients show biases in attention, interpretation, and memory when it comes to the processing of food-, weight-, and body shape-related cues. Some recent studies show that they also demonstrate errors in general cognitive abilities such as set shifting, central coherence, and decision making. A future challenge is whether cognitive biases and processes can be manipulated. Few preliminary studies suggest that an attention retraining and training in the cognitive modulation of food reward processing might be effective strategies to change body satisfaction, food cravings, and eating behavior.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Psychological Science, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands

    Nicolette Siep, Anita Jansen, Remco Havermans & Anne Roefs

Authors
  1. Nicolette Siep
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  2. Anita Jansen
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  3. Remco Havermans
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  4. Anne Roefs
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nicolette Siep .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Neuroscience, Dept. Pharmacology, Rudolf Magnus Institute of, Universiteitsweg 100, Utrecht, 3508 AB, Netherlands

    Roger A.H. Adan

  2. Dept. Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla Drive 8950, La Jolla, 92037, California, USA

    Walter H. Kaye

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Siep, N., Jansen, A., Havermans, R., Roefs, A. (2010). Cognitions and Emotions in Eating Disorders. In: Adan, R., Kaye, W. (eds) Behavioral Neurobiology of Eating Disorders. Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences, vol 6. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/7854_2010_82

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