These two studies introduce the Goldfarb Fear of Fat Scale (GFFS) as an assessment device for use with bulimic clients. Study I presents norms and reliability data for a high school sample, as well as pilot comparisons between anorexic and normal women. Study II demonstrates that the GFFS significantly differentiates between bulimics, repeat dieters, and non-dieting women. These results suggest that the GFFS may be utilized clinically as a diagnostic tool and indicator of change, which may assist in the early identification of bulimic individuals.
This paper examines the role of childhood sexual abuse antecedent to anorexia nervosa, bulimia, and compulsive overeating. Three case reports are used to illustrate the development of eating disorders in the context of sexual abuse. Implications are discussed in terms of the need for professionals to develop sensitivity to this potential antecedent in order to apply appropriate intervention strategies with sexual abuse victims seeking treatment for an eating disorder.
This preliminary work assessed the effectiveness of systematic desensitization and relaxation training as adjuncts in the treatment of anorexia nervosa. All subjects (18 female anorexics) received behavioral contracting and supportive psychotherapy from the same psychiatrist. Seven were randomly assigned to receive either desensitization ( n = 4) or relaxation training ( n = 3) as an adjunctive treatment. Data on the 11 subjects without adjunctive treatment came from closed case files. Contrary to prediction, all significant differences in outcome favored use of relaxation. Relaxation was associated with higher self-esteem and less fear of fat than desensitization was at the 6-mo. follow-up and relaxation was associated with much better outcome at 18 mo. than were desensitization or no adjunctive treatment. Anorexia appears to differ from classical phobias in two ways, which may explain the unexpected effectiveness of relaxation training.
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