Cognitive Behavior Therapy And Family Based Treatment

Anorexia nervosa is a debilitating disorder that affects the lives of many adolescents and can serious if not fatal consequences if not treated properly (Hurst Zimmer-Gembeck, 2015; Wilson, Grilo, Vitousek, 2007; Westwood Kendal, 2012; Grave, Calugi, Ghoch, Conti Fairburn, 2014). Two interventions that are often used in the treatment of AN are cognitive behavior therapy and family based treatment. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and family based treatment (FBT) can either be used separately or in conjunction depending on the patient’s response and the degree of the disorder (Doyle, Le Grange, Loeb, Doyle, Crosby, 2012; Lock et al., 2015; Madden et al., 2015). CBT aims to decease the symptoms of anorexia nervosa by changing the†¦show more content†¦Categorically, adolescents with anorexia nervosa have a chronic low body weight and are below 85 percent of their expected body weight (Lock, Fitzpatrick, 2007). Anorexia nervosa is most commonly diagnosed in adolesce nts, an age that can increase the risks of malnutrition, weight loss, osteoporosis, growth arrest, and absent puberty. Anorexia nervosa can damage an adolescent’s identity, and has the highest death rates of any psychiatric illness (Aspen Boutelle, 2013; Grave et al., 2014). Adolescents that suffer from anorexia nervosa tend to be perfectionists causing them to focus on negative beliefs, fear of failure, and fear of disapproval. They are often high achievers, are inflexible and rigid in their thinking, and see their symptoms as achievements (Hurst Zimmer- Gembeck, 2015; Westwood Kendal, 2012). Three themes emerge in anorexia nervosa patients: control, tensions between the client’s wants and the clinical intervention, and therapeutic alliance (Westwood Kendal, 2012). For patients, anorexia nervosa both controls them and gives them control. Patients are torn between trying to overcome their disorder and enjoying the control they have over their body. Clients being treated for anorexia nervosa are challenged during treatment because they need to address both their physical and psychological needs (Westwood Kendal, 2012). They want to have a say during their