Model for the group treatment of eating disorders

Ethical debating: therapy for adolescents with eating disorders

Groups are a common component of treatment programs for adolescents with eating disorders (EDs). This article discusses a weekly group run by nursing and psychology members of a multidisciplinary EDs team. The theme of this group was ethical debating, and it was designed for adolescent patients aged between 14 and 18 years. These ED patients were provided with basic information about five ethical principles, and they debated weekly ethical scenarios. Debate content and process, as well as its therapeutic benefits, will be discussed in this article.

Outpatient group therapy for anorexia nervosa: a preliminary study

Group therapy is generally recognized as an important form of psychotherapy for anorexia nervosa patients, but there are few controlled studies of its effectiveness. The aim of the current study was to determine the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) for the treatment of anorexia nervosa in outpatients. Twenty-six outpatients with anorexia nervosa, were assessed for depression (BDI, Beck Depression Inventory), eating psychopathology (EDI, Eating Disorders Inventory), eating attitudes (EAT, Eating Attitudes Test) and weight at the beginning and at the end of the treatment and at one year follow-up. Our results substantiate the effectiveness of the CBT approach as a treatment and also at one year follow-up. Good EAT scores were observed in 70% of our cases after the treatment and in 60% at follow-up. Further research should assess the effectiveness of therapeutic groups more intensively because of their economic advantages.

Health of the chronically mentally ill who rejoin the community: a community assessment

This article describes findings from a community assessment project on 25 chronically mentally ill individuals who rejoined the community following discharge from psychiatric hospitals. The focus was to identify health concerns or problems and health promotion patterns using Healthy People 2000 as a guiding framework. Findings suggest that most participants found relocation to the community easy. Stress, depression, and abuse were mental health problems reported by participants. Physical health problems included high tobacco use, low exercise level, poor oral health, high-risk sexual behavior, and limited contact with physicians and dentists. Health promotion activities were good sleeping behavior, limited use of alcohol and drugs, and a strong interest in participating in health promotion programs including exercise, stress management, and smoking cessation programs. Interventions to promote the health of the chronically mentally ill and implications for community mental health nurses are discussed.

Effectiveness of a women's mental health treatment program: a pilot study

This exploratory pilot study sought to determine the effectiveness of a Women's Mental Health Treatment Program. This program was offered in a women's unit within a private psychiatric hospital and advertised as a way to help women deal with problems and issues unique to their gender. Twenty-six women responded to a survey questionnaire that explored their quality of life, social support network, ratings of the program, and feelings of self-esteem after discharge. These women were admitted for depression, anxiety attacks, marital problems, and eating disorders. Overall results pointed to the effectiveness of the program as indicated by the women's positive ratings of their current life situation, self-esteem, ability to resume work after discharge, and written appreciative comments. The various therapies rated as effective as part of the program treatment package were group therapy, individual therapy, assertiveness training, victim survivor, steps study, and esteem building.

Group therapy for anorexic and bulimic patients. Some aspects on the conduction of group therapy and a critical review of some recent studies

Group psychotherapy for Anorexia Nervosa (AN) and Bulimia Nervosa (BN) patients may be a major therapeutic challenge. The cognitive-behavioural approach may seem promising and some important stages in the conduction of cognitive-behavioural group therapy in particular are discussed. Furthermore, some problems concerning inpatient versus outpatient groups are mentioned. Studies on group therapy that have appeared between 1984 and 1989 are briefly reviewed and some recommendations concerning the improvement of methodology for future studies are put forward.