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Psychopathological traits of adolescents with functional hypothalamic amenorrhea: a comparison with anorexia nervosa

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Eating and Weight Disorders - Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Functional hypothalamic amenorrhea (FHA) is a form of anovulation, due to the suppression of hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian axis, not related to identifiable organic causes. Like adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN), subjects with FHA show dysfunctional attitudes, low self-esteem, depressive mood, anxiety and inability to cope with daily stress. The aim of the study is to examine similarities and differences between FHA and AN in terms of clinical profiles and psychological variables.

Methods

21 adolescents with FHA, 21 adolescents with anorexia nervosa, and 21 healthy adolescents were included in the study. All the teenagers completed a battery of self-administered psychological tests for the detection of behaviors and symptoms attributable to the presence of an eating disorder (EDI-2), depression (CDI), and alexithymia (TAS-20).

Results

Different from healthy controls, subjects with FHA and with AN shared common psychopathological aspects, such as maturity issues, social insecurity and introversion, a tendency to depression, excessive concerns with dieting, and fear of gaining weight. Nevertheless, adolescents with AN presented a more profound psychopathological disorder as observed at test comparisons with subjects with FHA.

Conclusions

Results show a clinical spectrum that includes AN and FHA and suggest the necessity to treat FHA with a multidisciplinary approach for both organic and psychological aspects.

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Conflict of interest

On behalf of all authors, the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinic of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Ospedale San Gerardo di Monza, University of Milan Bicocca, Via Pergolesi, 33, 20900, Monza (MB), Italy

    Monica Bomba, Fabiola Corbetta, Francesca Neri & Renata Nacinovich

  2. Department of Childhood and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, Spedali Civili, Piazzale Spedali Civili 1, 25123, Brescia, Italy

    Luisa Bonini

  3. Department of Gynecological Endocrinology, Spedali Civili, Piazzale Spedali Civili 1, 25123, Brescia, Italy

    Alessandro Gambera

  4. Department of Neurology, University of Milan Bicocca, via Pergolesi 33, 20900, Monza, Italy

    Lucio Tremolizzo

Authors
  1. Monica Bomba
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  2. Fabiola Corbetta
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  3. Luisa Bonini
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  4. Alessandro Gambera
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  6. Francesca Neri
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  7. Renata Nacinovich
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Correspondence to Monica Bomba.

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Bomba, M., Corbetta, F., Bonini, L. et al. Psychopathological traits of adolescents with functional hypothalamic amenorrhea: a comparison with anorexia nervosa. Eat Weight Disord 19, 41–48 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-013-0056-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-013-0056-5

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