Behavior Therapy for Anorexia Nervosa: Taking a Second Look

Abstract

Over the past 40 years, clinical treatment protocols for anorexia nervosa have evolved from being primarily behavioral-based to cognitive-based. Although treatment methods for anorexia nervosa have changed, there is little research to support the use of any particular method over another. The scarce research data that exist on the long-term outcomes of both behaviorally and cognitively-based treatment methods indicate poor prognosis for a high percentage of patients. Behavioral treatment methods have significantly changed since their initial use in treating AN patients, but this method has not yet been re-explored as a treatment option. This article discusses previous problems with treating anorexia nervosa from a behavioral model and argues for a functional analysis behavioral approach toward treatment.