The clinical characteristics of autistic women with restrictive eating disorders

Brede, Janina, Babb, Charli ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5416-640X, Jones, Catherine R.G. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0541-0431, Serpell, Lucy, Hull, Laura, Adamson, James, Baker, Hannah, Fox, John R.E. and Mandy, Will 2024. The clinical characteristics of autistic women with restrictive eating disorders. BJPsych Open 10 (4) , e131. 10.1192/bjo.2024.65

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Abstract

Background Autistic women are at high risk of developing restrictive eating disorders (REDs), such as anorexia nervosa. Aims This study provides an overview of the clinical characteristics of autistic women with REDs to (i) enhance understanding of increased risk, and (ii) support the identification of autistic women in eating disorder services. Method We compared self-reported autistic and disordered eating characteristics of: autistic participants with REDs (Autism + REDs; n = 57); autistic participants without REDs (Autism; n = 69); and women with REDs who are not autistic (REDs; n = 80). We also included a group of women with high autistic traits (HATs) and REDs, but no formal autism diagnosis (HATs + REDs; n = 38). Results Autism + REDs participants scored similarly to Autism participants in terms of autistic characteristics and to REDs participants in terms of experiencing traditional disordered eating symptoms. Autism + REDs participants were distinguished from both groups by having more restricted and repetitive behaviours and autism-specific eating behaviours related to sensory processing, flexibility and social differences. HATs + REDs participants showed a similar pattern of scores to Autism + REDs participants, and both also presented with high levels of co-occurring mental health difficulties, particularly social anxiety. Conclusion The presentation of autistic women with REDs is complex, including both traditional disordered eating symptoms and autism-related needs, as well as high levels of co-occurring mental health difficulties. In eating disorder services, the REDs presentation of autistic women and those with HATs should be formulated with reference to autism-specific eating behaviours and co-occurring difficulties. Treatment adaptations should be offered to accommodate autistic characteristics and related needs.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Published Online
Status:	Published
Schools:	Psychology
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
ISSN:	20564724
Funders:	Autistica
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	5 August 2024
Date of Acceptance:	21 March 2024
Last Modified:	05 Aug 2024 10:53
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/170972

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