Exploring the Additive Benefit of PTSD Treatment on Eating Disorder Outcomes for Those with Co-Occurring PTSD

In the current study, we conducted a preliminary test of whether adding evidence-based PTSD treatment may influence intensive ED treatment outcomes by comparing individuals with co-occurring ED-PTSD diagnoses who received PTSD treatment to those who did not. We hypothesized that receiving PTSD treatment would moderate outcomes, such that individuals who received PTSD treatment throughout their course of ED treatment would demonstrate improved outcomes compared to those with PTSD who did not. The participants were 104 adults with DSM-5 EDs and PTSD admitted to a partial-hospital ED program. The participants either completed a course of evidence-based PTSD treatment within the context of intensive ED treatment or completed ED treatment as usual (n = 58 PTSD treatment, n = 46 TAU). Multilevel modeling was used to examine changes in symptoms as moderated by receipt of PTSD treatment over the course of treatment and at follow-up. Models exploring changes in anxiety, depression, clinical impairment, and ED symptoms suggested no differences across groups. The findings indicated that individuals who received PTSD treatment began with higher body dissatisfaction compared to their peers and experienced a significant decrease over the course of treatment. This investigation provides preliminary support for improved body dissatisfaction outcomes when PTSD treatment is incorporated into intensive ED treatment.