Eating disorder (ED) is a disorder of self- and affect-regulation (Fonagy et al., 2002; Skårderud, 2007a, 2007b; Skårderud & Fonagy, 2012). A growing body of theoretical and empirical research suggests that ED is related to a compromised ability to mentalize (Gillberg et al., 2010; Robinson et al., 2014; Skårderud & Fonagy, 2012). Pre-reflective modes of thinking are prevalent among ED patients, influencing their behaviour and also clinical presentation (Fonagy et al., 2002; Skårderud & Fonagy, 2012). Mentalizing model could provide dynamic and developmental perspectives for understanding the pathology. However, research in this area is scarce, especially the empirical studies which used the RFS as the assessment tool.
2.3.2.1 Mentalizing Impairment in ED
Few empirical ED studies included the RFS in the research design. Among the existing RFS studies on ED, some reported low levels of RF for ED patients. For example, Ward et al. (2001) found a score of 2.4 for the Anorexia Nervosa inpatients in their study. This result replicated Fonagy and colleagues ' (1996) finding with a score of 2.8 for fourteen eating disorder patients. According to the RFS manual, an RF score below 3 represents poor mentalizing ability. Therefore, severe mentalizing impairments were evidenced among these ED samples.
Compared to Anorexia Nervosa inpatients, Pedersen and colleagues (2012) in their Bulimia Nervosa outpatient sample (BN; n =70), found a higher RF mean score of 4.11 which was not
Both methods have been proven to be significantly effective in reducing the symptoms of bulimia nervosa. Although immediate reduction of bulimic symptoms is beneficial to the patient, it is not indicative of recovery. For this reason, my analysis will consider the long-term outcome effects for each treatment method. My findings will influence which method I will recommend for the treatment of bulimia nervosa.
Eating Disorders (ED) are a real “epidemic” plaguing industrialized and developed societies, affecting mostly adolescents and young adults (Benas & Gibb 2011). In general, the flawed thinking of people suffering from such diseases is characterized by an obsession with perfection of the body. The impact that eating disorders have on women has always been more prevalent than on males. (Benas & Gibb 2011; Polivy & Herman 2002). The culture-bound syndromes are constellations of signs and symptoms, that are restricted to certain the cultural pressure to lose weight, which is considered a key element of the etiology of these disorders, therefore, along with biological, psychological and family factors have been generating an excessive preoccupation with the body, an abnormal fear of becoming fat and anxiety markedly accompanied by changes in the body schema. These are therefore the characteristics of Bulimia Nervosa (BN) and Anorexia Nervosa (AN). The following ten literature review attempt to demonstrate and support the theory of cognitive approach on eating disorders, briefly understanding the neurobiological mechanisms.
In this paper, I will discuss how cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be utilized in the management of eating disorders. More specifically I will identify Anorexia Nervosa and provide statistics that relate to the disease. Etiologies will be discussed as well as symptoms. Various techniques of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy will be described as well as the rationale as it relates to the clinical issue.
Engel, B., Reiss, N., & Domback, M. (2007, February 2). Introduction To Eating Disorders. Retrieved
Eating disorders can be viewed as multi-determined disorder. Multi-determined disorders can conclude of various factors to the cause of one’s eating disorder. Each factor produces stressors to which “initiates dieting, weight loss, and the pursuit of thinness” (Diaz, 2017). A multi-determined disorder would be anorexia nervosa. These multi-determined factors leading to eating disorders may include socio-cultural, competitive environments, interpersonal, family, etc. Those who have eating disorders are diagnosed with more than one causing factor. With such stressors occurring to the self, leads to the self concept of when one has little memory of positive schemas. He or she is then unable to cope with challenges, thus feeling unworthy to his
After reading, “Anorexia Nervosa: Friend or Foe?” by Serpell et. al., in 1998, “Bulimia Nervosa: Friend or Foe? The Pros and Cons of Bulimia Nervosa,” by Serpell and Treasure in 2001, and viewing the documentary, Dying to be Thin, from PBS in 2000, I found several significant points within this research. Specifically, AN is the deadliest of all psychiatric disorders and the most difficult psychiatric illness to treat. As mentioned in the video Dying to be Thin, while detection as well as treatment are critical for individuals suffering from AN and other eating disorders, the potential related health risks may be serious as well as irreversible, including osteoporosis, cardiac arrest, and amenorrhea leading to infertility as well significant
The cognitive view of the maintenance of bulimia nervosa stresses that there is more to an individual's eating problem then just binge eating (and purging). Low self-esteem, extreme concerns about shape and weight, and strict dieting are all implicated in perpetuating the vicious cycle of bulimia (Fairburn et al., 1993). Within the first stage of treatment (weekly sessions 1-8), the following steps characterize the cognitive-behavioral approach: 1) orient
Bulimia Nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating with inappropriate compensatory behaviors to prevent weight gain. Cognitive Behavior Therapy and antidepressant drug therapy are treatment modalities that have shown promise with patients diagnosed with eating disorders, more so with Bulimia than with Anorexia, (Comer, 2014). In this case study analysis, a synthesis of researched outcomes-based treatment modalities is used to conceptualize a diagnosis and treatment plan for a 19 year-old female client presenting with symptoms of 307.51 (F50.2) Bulimia Nervosa; extreme.
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that consists of self-regulated food restriction in which the person strives for thinness and also involves distortion of the way the person sees his or her own body. An anorexic person weighs less than 85% of their ideal body weight. The prevalence of eating disorders is between .5-1% of women aged 15-40 and about 1/20 of this number occurs in men. Anorexia affects all aspects of an affected person's life including emotional health, physical health, and relationships with others (Shekter-Wolfson et al 5-6). A study completed in 1996 showed that anorexics also tend to possess traits that are obsessive in nature and carry heavy emotional
There is one 91-item form used to test individuals in a clinical or research setting. Those with no-psychology training use a shortened version of the form. The assessment form is from a previous versions of the assessment (EDI, EDI-2) and reliability between earlier versions of the test and EDI-3 is possible and equivalent for the same items. Overall the reliability was sound; however, low-reliability coefficients on the Bulimia scale for Anorexia Nervosa Restricted (AN-R) diagnostic (.63) were found (Garner, 2004).
In a majority of the research articles studies were done on both patients with anorexia nervosa and patients with bulimia nervosa. During the research, as we will see, there was some difference in the comorbidity of personality disorders depending on whether the subjects were anorexic or bulimic.
In order to apply the Looking-Glass Self theory to persons with eating disorders we must first consider the wide variety of influences that will impact this
Within Study 1 were two different groups of participants. The first group of participants were experts in the field of eating and weight disorders. The second group of participants were females with diagnosed eating disorders. The investigators initially developed a survey of 56 items covering 13 facets of loss of control eating. Investigators developed the initial items and facets by reviewing qualitative literature, and the test that were currently being used to measure binge eating and bulimia. The investigators sent the survey through email to 60 experts in the field of eating disorders and 34 experts responded. The experts were asked to examine the 56 items on relevance and clarity and to suggest additional items and ideas reflecting LOC-eating. The experts were asked for feedback on the working definition of the construct of LOC-eating. Expert feedback resulted in 18 items being added, 10 items being deleted, and 12 facets being retained within the LOCES questionnaire. Based on the feedback from the experts the following working definition for the study was
Low self-esteem plays a prominent role in many multifactorial theories of the etiology of eating disorders.
There are multiple ways to be guided to an eating disorder other than the media. “Eating behavior is a complex process controlled by the neuroendocrine system of which the Hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal-axis (HPA axis) is a major component” (News Medical). Psychological research is very important to patients who have an eating disorder. Throughout the research in the paper, researchers have come to a conclusion that some of the qualities in the brain a person has a certain level