Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Eating Disorders

Fairburn et al. argue that an extreme need to control eating is a central feature of

Anorexia nervosa, and that in Western societies a tendency to judge self worth in terms of

shape and weight is superimposed on this need for self control, (1999). The DSM IV

diagnostic criteria for AN includes the refusal or inability to maintain body weight over a

minimum normal weight for age and height, e.g. weight loss leading to maintenance of

body weight 15 percent below that expected. Intense fear of gaining weight or becoming

fat even though underweight is also a characteristic seen in AN patients. The DSM IV

also states that in females, absence of at least three consecutive menstrual cycles when

otherwise expected to occur is a diagnostic criteria as well.

Use of cognitive behavioral therapy is often the most productive, (Hoffman,

1993). Cognitive behavior therapists focus on changing eating behaviors usually by

rewarding or modeling wanted behavior. These therapists also help patients work to

change the distorted and rigid thinking patterns associated with eating disorders,

(Hoffman, 1993). The American Institute for Cognitive T

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Some common words found in the essay are:
Cognitive Therapy, Wilson Fairburn, Schizophrenia Schizophrenia, Salkovskis Kirk, DSM IV, According Kuipers, APA CBT, Hyman Pedrick, Latner Wilson, Disorders Fairburn, et al, fairburn et, salkovskis kirk, fairburn et al, cognitive behavior, kirk 1989, salkovskis kirk 1989, cognitive behavioral, binge eating, jones et al, behavior therapy, body weight, kuipers 1996, et al 2001, et al 1995,
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