What happens in the course of body exposure?

Abstract Objective Though body exposure seems to enhance outcome in cognitive-behavioural therapy of anorexia and bulimia nervosa, the underlying mechanisms are still unknown. Methods Participants with eating disorders (ED; n = 21) and normal controls (NC; n = 28) were exposed to their own bodies in front of a mirror for 40 minutes under standardized conditions. Emotions, cognitions, and saliva cortisol were assessed every 10 minutes during body exposure. Heart rate and skin conductance were recorded continuously. Results ED showed higher negative emotional and cognitive responses to body exposure compared to NC, whereas no group differences were found for physiological reactions. In the co…