Relevant Publications
Psychogenic Nonepileptic Seizures Associated with an Eating Disorder and PTSD Are Responsive to Cognitive Processing Therapy
Objective: Eating disorders (EDs) are often associated with prior histories of trauma, subsequent PTSD and related psychiatric comorbidities. There is a paucity of information about their relationship to somatic symptom disorders, specifically psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES), a type of functional neurological symptom disorder or conversion disorder.
Methods: We report a case of a 39-year-old bisexual female with bulimia nervosa (BN), PTSD, recurrent major depressive disorder (MDD), cannabis use disorder, and PNES who responded to integrated trauma-focused treatment during residential ED treatment using cognitive processing therapy (CPT). Symptoms of ED, PTSD, major depression, and state-trait anxiety were measured using validated assessment instruments.
Results: During the course of CPT treatment, the patient's total scores on the PTSD Symptom Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) went from 59 to 26, which is below the diagnostic threshold for PTSD. In addition, she demonstrated improvements in the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) Global Severity score, the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI-2) total score, the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) total score, the Spielberger State and Trait Anxiety Inventory scores, and the Eating Disorder Quality of Life (EDQOL) total score. Furthermore, her PNES also abated, and she remained seizure free for ∼1 year following discharge with the exception of one short seizure, per report of the patient.
Conclusion: The use of CPT as part of an integrated trauma-informed treatment approach during residential ED treatment was successful in a woman with PNES, BN, PTSD, MDD, and cannabis use disorder.
The Ripple Effect: ‘Training the Trainer’ on the Impact of Body Image Through a Dance/Movement Therapy Technique
This thesis describes the capstone project which was a psychoeducation and experiential workshop for fitness trainers. The workshop investigated the impact trainers’ work may have on the body image of their clients through a dance/movement therapy (DMT) technique. The aim was to enhance the trainers’ sensitivity around body image issues of their clients and to create a space for vulnerable movement conversation that may in turn lead to better mental health advocacy for their clients within the scope of ethical practice. The participants of the workshop were six white female identifying trainers ranging from 24 to 35 years of age. The workshop was comprised of a collaborative warm up, a section utilizing the DMT technique of mirroring, a journaling session based on prompts, a presentation of relevant literature and closed with a discussion on the experience. Congruent with the literature, participants reported increased empathy and body awareness. In addition, the trainers shared how the use of understanding their own body image could impact their work with their clients. This paper begins with a literature review of the related topics, is followed by detailed outline of the methods, and concludes with the results, and a discussion from the researcher’s perspective. Future research could include a prospective study surveying trainers’ attitudes toward their own body image preand postworkshop to explore impact.
Body Satisfaction, Performance Perception, and Weight Loss Behavior in Young Female Dancers
A retrospective research study looked at body satisfaction, performance perception & weight loss behaviors in dancers. The most critical findings were that BMI’s of the participants were similar but their body satisfaction differed greatly. This indicates that external factors such as the teachers and instructors have an impact on the mental health of the dancers.