Psychoanalytic psychotherapy for bulimia nervosa: A manualized approach

Abstract

A condensed version of a manual for two-year psychoanalytic psychotherapy for bulimia nervosa, developed for a clinical trial comparing psychoanalytic psychotherapy and cognitive behaviour therapy, is presented. The conceptualization of the psychopathology is outlined followed by a presentation of the specific principles of psychoanalytic psychotherapy for bulimia nervosa. The phases of the therapy and the adaptation of the therapy to different patterns of personality are described, and principles for training and supervision are outlined.

Keywords:

• bulimia nervosa
• psychoanalytic psychotherapy
• psychotherapy manual
• psychopathology
• eating disorders

Acknowledgements

This research was supported by grants from the Danish Council for Independent Research|Humanities and the Egmont Foundation.

Notes

1. Since the vast majority of patients are female, we use the female pronoun when referring to patients. Accordingly, to enhance readability the male pronoun is used for the therapist.