Different meanings and expressions of body uneasiness in eating disorders and gender incongruence

Body uneasiness is a core aspect of Gender Incongruence (GI) and Eating Disorders (ED), and literature evidenced cases of co-occurrence between the two diagnoses (Jones et al., 2016). The aim of this study was to explore the different ways in which body discomfort is expressed in subjects with ED vs GI. Thirdy- four participants with GI (29 AFAB; 5 AMAB) at stage T0 of hormonal treatment and 34 subjects with ED (AN=22; BN=9; BNG=2; NOS=1) evaluated at treatment onset, completed the Eating Disorder Inventory-3 (EDI-3) to assess eating symptoms, the Body Uneasiness Test (BUT) to investigate body discomfort and the Shedler-Westen Assessment Procedure-200 (SWAP-200) to measure personality patterns. General severity of body uneasiness was higher in ED subjects, but GI individuals reported higher body image concerns and body avoidance. Different associations between the severity of eating symptomatology and personality features emerged among the two samples. Evaluating the expressions and meanings of body uneasiness in subjects with GI and ED is a key factor in order to promote more accurate and clinically useful diagnostic formulations, as well as tailored multidisciplinary therapeutic interventions focused on individuals’ specific characteristics.