(1) Background: Body image is being defined as the picture of our own body in our mind with its size and shape, and with a perceptive and attitudinal evaluation of this body. It appears to be a complex clinical construct predisposing an individual to developing and maintaining anorexia nervosa (AN), as well as having considerable impact on prolonging the duration of this illness and its relapse risk. The aim of the research work was to assess whether the symptomatology of eating disorders, level of depression, and mental pain are associated with body image, and examine the influence of a distorted body image as well as eating disorders and depression symptoms on mental pain in AN; (2) Methods: A total of 36 women diagnosed with AN and 69 healthy controls (HC) participated in this study. All participants completed a battery of the following scales: EAT-26, BSQ-34, BIDQ, BDD-YBOCS, CESDR, and the Mental Pain Scale; (3) Results: Results show statistically significantly greater body image disturbances and higher level of depression and mental pain intensity in the AN compared to the HC group. Regression analysis indicates a greater impact of distorted body image, eating disorders, and depression symptoms on mental pain in AN; (4) Conclusions: As assumed, distorted body image and mental pain are central components of AN that should be especially emphasized in the therapeutical process of treating AN. Future research should focus on the etiopathogenesis of distorted body image in relation to the chronicity of mental pain and depression in AN, and address these outcomes in clinical practice to minimize suicide risk in this high-risk group of patients.

As an element of distorted self-image, body image disturbances may be relevant to borderline personality disorder (BPD). Therefore, this systematic review aims to critically discuss and summarize empirical findings in this matter. Based on the available theoretical models, three body image components were identified: (a) perception, (b) affect and cognition, and (c) general body dissatisfaction. We conducted a systematic search of the empirical literature published in English in the MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Scopus databases until June 2021 using a priori eligibility criteria (BPD; BPD symptoms or features in nonclinical groups; quasipsychotic or psychotic symptoms were not considered). We included k = 10 records meeting the criteria. Compared with other analyzed groups, individuals diagnosed with BPD obtained higher scores in the three components of body image disturbances. The issue of body image in BPD is relatively understudied, although current research findings clearly indicate disturbances in all of the abovementioned body image components in individuals with BPD or significant relationships of these components with BPD traits or symptoms both in clinical and nonclinical samples. Eventually, possible practical implications and future research directions are also discussed.

Altered emotion dynamics and emotion regulation (ER) have been indicated in theoretical descriptions of abnormal emotional functioning, which contributes to the development and maintenance of anorexia nervosa (AN). Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) has recently become popular in research on eating disorders. It is a source of new insights into the psychopathology of AN as it enables intensive long-term tracking of everyday experiences and behaviours of individuals through repeated self-reports. The following systematic review aims to synthesize research on the use of EMA when evaluating emotion dynamics and ER in AN. Specific studies were identified with the use of MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Scopus databases. A supplemental search was performed in reference lists of the relevant publications. As a result, 27 publications were identified and included in the systematic review. The findings from the reviewed studies point to various disturbed components of emotion dynamics as well as to unique associations of maladaptive ER strategies with specific abnormalities in emotion dynamics in AN. Limitations of the studies were discussed as well. An outlook for further research in the field was provided in the last section of the paper.

The paper focuses on shame in the context of eating disorders. As a common emotion occurring in various spheres of human life, shame is of particular importance in the understanding and treatment of eating disorders as it is one of the key factors in their development and sustenance. There is scientific evidence that individuals with eating disorders experience higher levels of shame and guilt compared to those with other clinical diagnoses, which distinguishes eating disorders from other psychopathologies. Therefore, we present the mechanisms underlying the emotion of shame and its relationship with eating disorders, along with selected therapeutic strategies for overcoming shame. This paper also presents the research on neural correlates of shame and their relationship with the development and sustenance of a disturbed body image, which is one of the key psychopathological aspects of eating disorders. We also discuss the role of work on the patient’s shame in successful therapeutic processes, as well as the possible use of neuroscience in understanding and treating patients experiencing this emotion. Furthermore, we attempted to explain the concept of shame and its possible classification in the context of selected psychological theories. The paper also refers to the concepts of healthy and toxic shame, which are strongly associated with developing a specific type of personality and coping strategies in social relationships, and which influence self-esteem.

Recently, significant increase in prevalence of mental disorders has been observed. Health psychology focuses on the strong need of implementing of preventive activities. The aim of the paper was to assess the interaction between personal dispositions such as mental resilience, spirituality, the attitude towards your own body, and mental health among young adults. The study was conducted in 138 students at secondary schools, 18-20 yrs. old in Lesser Poland. In the study there have been used the following measures: Mental Resilience Scale, Self-descriptive Questionnaire, allow to assess spirituality level, Body Image Questionnaire, and Pathological Symptoms Questionnaire, SCL-27. The obtained results indicated that young adults who present the higher level of mental resilience and positive attitude towards their own body, experience less symptoms of mental disorders. Moreover, the positive correlations were observed between mental resilience, spirituality level, and positive attitude towards body in both female and male groups. Young females compared to the examined males were less satisfied with their appearance, experienced enhanced mental symptoms, and worse assessed their competence to cope with daily difficulties.