Guidelines towards the design and implementation of an inpatient treatment program for bulimics : a cognitive behavioural approach

Bulimia nervosa, which is characterised by binge eating followed by vomiting and/or purging, and a morbid fear of becoming fat (Russell, 1979) has only recently been identified and accepted as a discrete clinical syndrome (DSM III classification, 307.51), separate from the other major eating disorder classified in the DSM III, anorexia nervosa (307.10). This has important implications for management; what is most appropriate for anorexics is not necessarily appropriate for bulimics as was previously assumed. This thesis begins with a review of the literature on bulimia nervosa, focusing particularly on clinical features, aetiology and current management strategies. In the light of this, the inpatient treatment program for bulimic patients currently implemented by a local teaching hospital is reviewed and assessed, and recommendations for adjustments are made. It is argued that a cognitive behavioural model is very suitable when planning intervention.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Psychology

Year dc:date.issued

1984

Author dc:creator

• Adamson, Lynette

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Levett, Ann

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/15798

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/15798