A psychoeducational approach in the treatment of anorexia nervosa

Abstract

An overview of anorexia nervosa and a brief review of the most relevant literature is presented. The unique treatment needs of the anorexic child are discussed in terms of their overall influence, and particularly in view of typical cognitive and educational demands on the child. The psychoeducational approach is elaborated and applied to this understanding of the anorexic child. Issues that arise in dealing with the anorexic child in the classroom are discussed, and specific interventions and techniques are described. Primary goals for this treatment technique are elaborated, and case material demonstrating how these issues would be managed in the psychoeducational setting is presented.The description of anorexia nervosa in the literature dates back to the 1870s, when a "condition characterized by severe emaciation" was first described (Gull, 1874; Lasegue, 1873). Although many questions regarding this disorder remain unanswered, the wealth of literature currently available provides some measure of clarity as to the psychological determinants of the syndrome. The purpose of this paper is to present and elaborate a therapeutic psychoeducational technique for use in treating the anorexic child within the classroom setting. This will also be demonstrated by a case report of a 13-year-old adolescent girl who was treated over a 15-month period. This paper is based on continuing observations and treatment of several anorexic children and adolescents admitted to a large private psychiatric hospital. The children's unit within this hospital maintained a range of psychiatric services including a self-contained long-term psychoeducation program geared specifically towards developing innovative therapeutic-educational interventions across a range of pathologies.