| This study focuses on the nature of emotional processing as a central aspect of the sense of self of the anorexic patient. Previous studies (Bers, Blatt, & Dolinsky, 2004) found high self-reflection accompanied by high levels of depression and anxiety as a distinct feature of the anorexic patient compared to other psychiatric patients and normal controls. The current study, based on Bers et al.'s findings, employed Bucci's (1997a; 2001b; 2002b; Bucci & Maskit, 2005) computerized language measures based on the Multiple Code Theory to examine the emotional processing as inferred from linguistic characteristics of anorexic patients.; In order to empirically examine the nature of emotion schemas, we applied the computerized measures of the referential process (WRAD, Reflection, Negative, Positive, Mixed, and Sum Affect, Disfluency, and Sensory-Somatic dictionaries) to anorexics inpatients' self-descriptions and descriptions of their mothers and father compared to clinical and nonclinical control groups. In addition, we explored correlations of the language measures with clinical measures in the anorexic group.; The main finding of this study is the intensity that the anorexic patient experiences when she describes her self. This intensity is apparent by an immersion in her inner world that might leave her numb or frozen with extreme anxiety, a process that is demonstrated in her language style.; The description of parents can also serve as window into her regulatory capacities as a crucial element of her sense of her self and others. When describing their mothers they formed a narrative characterized by a defensive or avoidant style seen by increased use of abstract words. The description of father was characterized by more connected narrative seen by the positive and negative affect and disfluency scores that were essentially the same for the three groups suggesting less of a struggle.; A theoretical model was proposed for the ways in which the language style may serve as a window into the anorexic patient's world of emotion schemas. The findings were discussed in relation to previous conclusions drawn by Bers, the patients' severity and chronicity factors of the disorders, developmental, and therapeutic factors. The study's limitations were discussed and clinical implications, in light of using linguistic measures, were suggested. |
