20
Treatment
ANOREXIA NERVOSA
Medical Stabilization, Nutritional Rehabilitation, and
Weight Restoration
Statement 10
➤ APA recommends (1C) that patients with anorexia nervosa who require
nutritional rehabilitation and weight restoration have individualized
goals set for weekly weight gain and target weight.
Psychotherapy in Adults
Statement 11
➤ APA recommends (1B) that adults with anorexia nervosa be treated
with an eating disorder-focused psychotherapy, which should include
normalizing eating and weight control behaviors, restoring weight, and
addressing psychological aspects of the disorder (e.g., fear of weight
gain, body image disturbance).
Table 8. Components of Psychotherapies for the Treatment
of Anorexia Nervosa
Component
In-session weighing
Individualized case formulation
Motivational phase of treatment
Focus on interpersonal issues/emotional expression
Monitoring of symptoms, including eating
Examining association of symptoms/eating with cognitions
Focus on building activities/passions to minimize overconcern
with weight/body shape
Use of an experimental mindset to change attitudes and behaviors
Parent-facilitated meal supervision
Abbreviations: AFT=adolescent focused individual therapy; CBT-AN=cognitive-behavioral
therapy for anorexia nervosa; CBT-E=enhanced cognitive-behavioral therapy for eating
disorders; ECHO=Experienced Carers Helping Others; FBT=family-based therapy/treatment;
FPT=focal psychodynamic psychotherapy; MANTRA=Maudsley Model of Anorexia Nervosa
Treatment for Adults; SSCM=Specialist Supportive Clinical Management
