1. Mental capacity to consent to treatment in anorexia nervosa
- Author
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Elzakkers, Isis F F M, Danner, Unna N, Hoek, Hans W, van Elburg, Annemarie A, Experimental psychopathology, Leerstoel Ridder, Leerstoel Elburg, Experimental psychopathology, Leerstoel Ridder, and Leerstoel Elburg
- Subjects
Paper ,medicine.medical_specialty ,MORTALITY-RATES ,DECISION-MAKING ,behavioral disciplines and activities ,03 medical and health sciences ,Toronto Alexithymia Scale ,0302 clinical medicine ,FUTURE ,mental disorders ,ADOLESCENTS ,medicine ,Psychiatry ,medicine.diagnostic_test ,CENTRAL COHERENCE ,Neuropsychology ,Cognitive flexibility ,EATING-DISORDERS ,medicine.disease ,Comorbidity ,030227 psychiatry ,COGNITIVE REMEDIATION THERAPY ,Psychiatry and Mental health ,Eating disorders ,MACCAT-T ,Cognitive remediation therapy ,Anorexia nervosa (differential diagnoses) ,TORONTO-ALEXITHYMIA-SCALE ,Psychology ,IOWA-GAMBLING-TASK ,Body mass index ,030217 neurology & neurosurgery ,Clinical psychology - Abstract
BackgroundMental capacity to consent to treatment in anorexia nervosa is a neglected area in clinical decision-making.AimsTo examine clinical and neuropsychological parameters associated with diminished mental capacity in anorexia nervosa.MethodAn explorative study was conducted in 70 adult female patients with severe anorexia nervosa. Mental capacity to consent to treatment was assessed by experienced psychiatrists. Further measurements included the MacCAT-T (to assess mental capacity status), a range of clinical measures (body mass index (BMI) and comorbidity) and neuropsychological tests assessing decision-making, central coherence and set-shifting capacity.ResultsDiminished mental capacity occurs in a third of patients with severe anorexia nervosa and is associated with a low BMI, less appreciation of illness and treatment, previous treatment for anorexia nervosa, low social functioning and poor set shifting.ConclusionsAssessment of diminished mental capacity in anorexia nervosa requires careful evaluation of not only BMI, but also the degree of appreciation of illness and treatment, history and the tendency to have a rigid thinking style.
- Published
- 2016