Psicothema · 2017 · 11 citations · 0 references
MedicinePsychiatryPsychologyBehavioral HealthEating DisordersPsychotherapyAnorexia NervosaAnxiety DisordersCognitive Behavioral TherapyEating BehaviorsEating Disorders In AdolescenceFamily-based TreatmentAdolescent Eating Disorder TreatmentComorbidity With Anxiety DisordersComorbidity With Obsessive-compulsive DisorderEating Disorder PsychotherapyExposure TherapyExposure-based TherapyObsessive-compulsive Disorder TreatmentParental Involvement In Counseling
BACKGROUND: Anorexia nervosa exhibits high comorbidity rates and shared features with anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Anxiety-based etiological models have proposed that fear of eating-related stimuli is the central mechanism around which avoidance of food and food-related rituals are performed. Building on this approach, exposure-based interventions have demonstrated promising results. Limited evidence in adolescents encourages the evaluation of exposure approaches in this population. METHOD: The current study presents a preliminary evaluation, in eight adolescents with anorexia nervosa, of an exposure-based CBT featuring an intensive format and parental involvement. RESULTS: significant improvements in physical and psychological outcomes were observed. CONCLUSIONS: this case series provides preliminary support for the efficacy of intensive family exposure-based CBT for treating adolescents with severe anorexia nervosa.