The management of anorexia nervosa

Anorexia nervosa: service consumption and outcome of local patients in the Leicester service

Aims and Method

A retrospective case note study provided data on the service consumption and outcome of treatment for a cohort of adult anorexia nervosa sufferers treated in a specialised secondary service.

Results

A cohort of 106 patients was studied. Only just over a quarter were ever admitted. Of a subset of 78 patients, first seen before 1994, nearly one-fifth failed to engage in treatment. Those who were admitted spent on average a total of 10 months in hospital, were in touch for four years and had over 100 therapy sessions. The majority who were treated solely as out-patients remained in touch with the service on average for over two years.

Clinical Implications

Services for anorexia nervosa sufferers need to plan for prolonged contact with their patients and high rates of service consumption.

The management of bulimia nervosa and other binge eating problems

This article is about the management of eating disorders in which binge eating is a prominent feature. These disorders include bulimia nervosa, the most common eating disorder, and ‘binge eating disorder’, a provisional new diagnosis included in DSM–IV. In addition, binge eating is seen in anorexia nervosa and in many atypical eating disorders.

Efficacy of combined cognitive-behavior therapy and hypnotherapy in anorexia nervosa: a case study

A 22-year-old female diagnosed with anorexia nervosa received brief psychotherapy within a span of 1.5 months. Detailed cognitive-behavioral assessment was done and eating attitude was rated. Intervention of eating behavior and cognitive restructuring were initiated along with regular practice of self-hypnosis with ego-strengthening suggestions. Age regression was done to identify conflicts. Significant improvement in eating attitude was noted after 8 sessions without relapse at 3 months. Details of the psychotherapy are discussed.