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Neurodivergence, intersectionality, and eating disorders: A lived experience-led narrative review
PsyArXiv Preprints, Vol.14 July 2024
Cornell University
2024
Appears in Thompson Institute Research Collection
Abstract
Autistic people and those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are at a high risk of developing an eating disorder. While there is limited evidence on the relationship between other forms of neurodivergence and eating disorders, research suggests associations between giftedness, intellectual disability, Tourette’s syndrome, and disordered eating. Factors underlying disordered eating and/or eating disorder risk for neurodivergent people are multifaceted and complex, encompassing a wide range of intertwined psychosocial, environmental, and biological processes. Moreover, research shows that neurodivergent individuals experience poorer treatment outcomes compared to neurotypical individuals. However, there is a paucity of research in this area overall. More specifically, lived experience-led research remains rare, despite its critical role for improving individualised eating disorder care, as well as mental healthcare more broadly. Indeed, the importance of eating disorder care individuation is increasingly being recognised, particularly within the context of neurodivergence, given the heterogeneous experiences and support needs of neurodivergent people affected by disordered eating and/or eating disorders. Furthermore, despite documented overlaps between various forms of neurodivergence (e.g., co-occurring autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), research looking at eating disorders in the context of neurodivergence through a transdiagnostic perspective is scarce. This lived experience-led narrative review aims to shed light on the intersectional factors underlying high disordered eating and/or eating disorder risk for neurodivergent individuals. First, an overview of prevalence data is provided, followed by a thematic framework identifying factors underlying disordered eating and/or eating disorder risk in relation to neurodivergence. A critical appraisal of current eating disorder research and care is then offered before suggestions for neurodiversity-affirming eating disorder care are made. In this view, this paper offers a foundation for future empirical work in this nascent field of inquiry by providing a lived experience-led, transdiagnostic, and intersectional account of eating disorders in the context of neurodivergence.
Details
- Title
- Neurodivergence, intersectionality, and eating disorders: A lived experience-led narrative review
- Authors
- Laurence Cobbaert (Corresponding Author) - UNSW SydneyAnna Rose - Bond UniversityRosiel Elwyn - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Thompson InstituteScout Silverstein - Project HEAL (United States, New York)Kai Schweizer - The Kids Research Institute AustraliaElysia Thomas - Eating Disorders Neurodiversity Australia - (EDNA)Jane Miskovic-Wheatley - The University of Sydney
- Publication details
- PsyArXiv Preprints, Vol.14 July 2024
- Publisher
- Cornell University
- Date published
- 2024
- DOI
- 10.31234/osf.io/w6kv9
- Copyright note
- CC-By Attribution 4.0 International
- Organisation Unit
- Thompson Institute; School of Law and Society
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991051998902621
- Output Type
- Preprint
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