Problems with generating future episodic thoughts are a feature of depression, and depression is commonly present in individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN). Treatments targeted at alleviating depressive symptoms, as well those targeted towards facilitating memory retrieval or reconsolidation, and the construction of positive EFTs, may contribute to hope for recovery and strengthen the sense of self beyond the disorder. Problems with retrieving specific details of autobiographical memories and simulating positive EFTs may be a state feature of AN. Lastly, in all groups autobiographical memory specificity predicted EFT specificity. Comorbid depressive symptoms had some contribution to the observed findings. The AN group generated less positive EFTs, particularly to positive and neutral cues. People with a lifetime diagnosis (currently ill or recovered) reported greater difficulty in retrieving memories. People with AN had difficulties retrieving specific details of autobiographical memories and rated autobiographical memories as less positive overall, and less vivid when primed by positive cues. To investigate whether autobiographical memory and EFT performance were independent of performance on other forms of cognition, working memory, verbal fluency and cognitive flexibility were measured. As the production of EFTs is theoretically linked to the ability to retrieve autobiographical memories, the relationship between autobiographical memory specificity and EFT specificity was explored. Memory and EFT cue valence was manipulated cues were either positive, neutral, or disorder-related/negative. Using a remotely administered computerised version of the autobiographical memory test and episodic future thinking task, we measured six aspects of memory retrieval and EFT generation: specificity, detailedness, difficulty in remembering/imagining, positivity, vividness and realism. Our aim was to investigate autobiographical memory and episodic future thinking (EFT) in individuals with AN (n = 46), people recovered from AN (recAN n = 40), and non-affected controls (n = 35). Individuals with depression tend to have difficulties in producing specific details of autobiographical memories and future episodes. The factors that contribute to the maintenance of anorexia nervosa (AN) are not fully understood, although it is generally accepted that depression is a core feature and contributes to poor prognosis.
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