I am particularly interested if there is any research on this theme led by experts-by-experience. Examples of adaptive or 'positive' traits I have in mind (just a few, to make clear my meaning) might include resilience or loyalty or generosity.
Dear John,
Eating disordered persons are more open in their values. This means that they have a greater willingness to re-evaluate norms and values compared to controls.
J Eat Disord. 2015 Mar 11;3:3.
Who do you think you are? - Personality in eating disordered patients.
Levallius J, Clinton D, Bäckström M, Norring C.
Author information
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
The Five-Factor Model of personality is strongly linked to common mental disorders. Yet the relationship between the lower orderpersonality traits (facets) of the model and eating disorder (ED) features remains unclear. The aim of the study was to explore how patients with non-anorexic ED differ from controls in personality and to examine the ability of personality facets to explain psychopathology.
METHODS:
Female patients with non-anorexic ED (N = 208) were assessed on general psychopathology, ED symptoms and personality as measured by the NEO PI-R; and were compared on personality to age-matched female controls (N = 94).
RESULTS:
Compared to controls, patients were characterised by experiencing pervasive negative affectivity and vulnerability, with little in the way ofpositive emotions such as joy, warmth and love. Patients were also significantly less warm and sociable, and exhibited less trust, competence, and self-discipline. Finally, they were less open to feelings, ideas and new experiences, yet more open in their values. Among patients, personality facets explained up to 25% of the variance in ED and general psychopathology.
CONCLUSIONS:
ED patients have distinct patterns of personality. Identifying and focusing on personality traits may aid in understanding ED, help therapists enhance the treatment alliance, address underlying problems, and improve outcome.
John, I have some lived experience literature from Survivors Speak Out. I'll email it to you. Kati
Many thanks for all these suggestions so far - very helpful indeed!
Best wishes
John
Stephen Wonderlich's book chapter on Personality and Eating Disorders and the following review may interest you.
https://books.google.com/books?id=odRkAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA205&lpg=PA205&dq=adaptive+traits+in+eating+disordered+patients&source=bl&ots=tlMsgaUrRV&sig=zqurASqlyPddKA_vvwhPBzU61pI&hl=en&sa=X&ei=sTiKVbXkOY_joASQzIfACg&ved=0CEAQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=adaptive%20traits%20in%20eating%20disordered%20patients&f=false
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0272735805000899
Dear John,
The literature shows consistently that people with eating disorders, in particular anorexia nervosa, are high on the personality trait of persistence. Persistence, despite the potential for overuse that leads to obsessiveness, is a positive trait linked to achievement and life satisfaction. Clinically I find that huge persistence and energy needs to be invested in weight loss to reach the pathological condition of anorexia nervosa. However, once motivation changes and a person decides to recover, persistence can be of great benefit in overcoming the disorder and achieving recovery.
Dear John,
The literature shows consistently that people with eating disorders, in particular anorexia nervosa, are high on the personality trait of persistence. Persistence, despite the potential for overuse that leads to obsessiveness, is a positive trait linked to achievement and life satisfaction. Clinically I find that huge persistence and energy needs to be invested in weight loss to reach the pathological condition of anorexia nervosa. However, once motivation changes and a person decides to recover, persistence can be of great benefit in overcoming the disorder and achieving recovery.
Oh, and another (ambivalent) reply is altruism, selflessness and the ability to understand other's needs and respond to them. I am ambivalent about calling this a positive trait, since taken to an extreme it means that self-needs are often ignored, which is hardly positive. I'm attaching a chapter I wrote in an Oxford University Press book on "Pathological Altruism". Obviously this is a pathological slant on the positive trait of giving. However, if you're looking for the positive, you'll be able to find a lot of sensitivity, generosity alongside self-sacrifice in this population.
...and (coming back two years later to this thread, omg how time slips away!) I've just come across the following, which robustly adds 'pride' to the mix...
Shame and Pride in Anorexia Nervosa: A Qualitative Descriptive Study - by Finn Skarderud, Eur. Eat. Disorders Rev. 15, 81–97 (2007), https://www.researchgate.net/publication/6162033
Article Shame and pride in anorexia nervosa: A qualitative descriptive study
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