Temporal relationships between awakening cortisol and psychosocial variables in inpatients with anorexia nervosa – A time series approach

•We investigated the awakening cortisol of AN patients using a time series design.•Awakening cortisol of AN patients was elevated as compared to a control group.•Patients with HSS showed less stable awakening cortisol time series compared to patients with LSS.•Antipsychotic medication did not change awakening cortisol in a specific way.•In four patients, higher cortisol values were temporally associated with higher values of depressive feelings.