Exploring the Complex Treatment Experiences of Eating Disorder Clients
This case report provides a description of a course of therapy with a client who presented to a specialist eating disorder service for treatment for her primary diagnosis of Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS) but who also had a previous diagnosis of Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD). The client was treated primarily with Fairburn’s (2008) “transdiagnostic” model of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for eating disorders (CBT-E) with integrated conceptualisations and interventions from a CBT approach for BDD as outlined by Rosen (1995). The recommended treatment for both disorders and the similar and sometimes overlapping symptoms and pathology the disorders share will be outlined. The client, her presenting difficulties and relevant background will be introduced and case conceptualisation outlined. The reader’s attention will then be drawn to the treatment and clinical strategies integrated from both CBT models. Treatment was associated with improvement in eating symptoms, body image disturbance and mood. Implications of the case are discussed.
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