Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Emerging Psychological Treatments in the Field of Eating Disorders

  • Eating Disorders (AS Kaplan, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Psychiatry Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Few treatments for eating disorders have established a base of empirical support, and those that have are still limited by high dropout rates and low abstinence rates. Thus, there is a critical need for innovative eating disorder treatments to fill this gap. The past decade has seen a surge in the development of novel treatments that address eating pathology. This review provides an overview of the emerging psychological treatments for eating disorders, including descriptions of the therapeutic rationales, treatment techniques, and research support. The review will cover face-to-face interventions that are provided in the context of individual or group psychotherapy. Treatments included in this review were organized into the following six categories based on their underlying therapeutic rationales: (1) cognition-focused approaches, (2) emotion regulation approaches, (3) exposure-based approaches, (4) motivational enhancement, (5) integrative approaches, and (6) family- and couple-based interventions.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

  1. American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. 5th ed. Arlington: American Psychiatric Association; 2013.

    Google Scholar 

  2. American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. 4th ed. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association; 2000. text revision.

    Google Scholar 

  3. • Swanson SA, Crow SJ, Le Grange D, et al. Prevalence and correlates of eating disorders in adolescents. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2011;68:714–23. This study provides current information regarding the prevalence of eating disorders in adolescents.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Hoek HW. Incidence, prevalence, and mortality of anorexia and other eating disorders. Curr Opin Psychiatry. 2006;19:389–94.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Hoek HW, van Hoeken D. Review of the prevalence and incidence of eating disorders. Int J Eating Disord. 2003;34:383–96.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Crow SJ, Peterson CB, Swanson SA, Raymond NC, Specker S, Eckert ED, et al. Increased mortality in bulimia nervosa and other eating disorders. Am J Psychiatry. 2009;166:1342–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Agras WS, Walsh BT, Fairburn CG, Wilson GT, Kraemer HC. A multicenter comparison of cognitive-behavioral therapy and interpersonal psychotherapy for bulimia nervosa. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2000;57:459–66.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Craighead LW, Agras WS. Mechanisms of action in cognitive-behavioral and pharmacological interventions for obesity and bulimia nervosa. J Consult Clin Psychol. 1991;59:115–25.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Wilson GT. Treatment of bulimia nervosa: when CBT fails. Behav Res Ther. 1996;34:197–212.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Roberts ME, Treasure J, Stahl D, Southgate L, Treasure J. A systematic review and meta-analysis of set-shifting ability in eating disorders. Psychol Med. 2007;37:1075–84.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Keys A, Brozek J, Henschel A, Mickelsen O, Taylor HL. The biology of human starvation (2 volumes). Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press; 1950.

  12. McGurk SR, Twamley EW, Sitzer DI, McHugo GJ, Mueser KT. A meta-analysis of cognitive remediation in schizophrenia. Am J Psychiatry. 2007;164:1791–802.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Tchanturia K, Davies H, Lopez C, Schmidt U, Treasure J, Wykes T. Letter to the editor: neuropsychological task performance before and after cognitive remediation in anorexia nervosa: a pilot case-series. Psychol Med. 2008;38:1371–3.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Tchanturia K, Davies H, Campbell IC. Cognitive remediation therapy for patients with anorexia nervosa: preliminary findings. Ann Gen Psychiatry. 2007;6:14.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Davies H, Tchanturia K. Cognitive remediation therapy as an intervention for acute anorexia nervosa: a case report. Eur Eat Disord Rev. 2005;13:311–16.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. •• Wood L, Al-Khairulla H, Lask B. Group cognitive remediation therapy for adolescents with anorexia nervosa. Clin Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2011;16:225–31. This study is the first to pilot group cognitive remediation therapy for adolescent AN.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Polivy J, Herman CP. Etiology of binge eating: psychological mechanisms. In: Fairburn CG, Wilson GT, editors. Binge eating: nature, assessment, and treatment. New York: Guilford Press; 1993. p. 173–205.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Johnson C, Larson R. Bulimia: an analysis of moods and behavior. Psychosom Med. 1982;44:351.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Williamson DA, Kelley ML, Davis CJ, Ruggiero L, Veitia MC. The psychology of bulimia. Adv Behav Res Ther. 1985;7:163–72.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Arnow B, Kenardy J, Agras WS. The emotional eating scale: the development of a measure to assess coping with negative affect by eating. Int J Eat Disord. 1995;18:79–90.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Agras WS, Telch CF. The effects of caloric deprivation and negative affect on binge eating in obese binge-eating disordered women. Behav Ther. 1998;29:491–503.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Crosby RD, Wonderlich SA, Engel SG, Simmonich H, Smyth J, Mitchell JE. Daily mood patterns and bulimic behaviors in the natural environment. Behav Res Ther. 2009;47:181–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Smyth JM, Wonderlich SA, Heron KE, Sliwinski MJ, Crosby RD, Mitchell JE, et al. Daily and momentary mood and stress are associated with binge eating and vomiting in bulimia nervosa patients in the natural environment. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2007;75:629–38.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. • Berg KC, Peterson CB, Crosby RD, Cao L, Engel SG, Mitchell JE, et al. Facets of negative affect prior to and following episodes of binge-only, purge-only, and binge/purge events in women with bulimia nervosa. J Abnorm Psychol. 2013;122:111–18. These data provide evidence of a relationship between guilt and ED behaviors among adult women with BN based on ecological momentary assessment. This information may be important in understanding underlying mechanisms that maintain ED pathology over time.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. • Engel SG, Wonderlich SA, Crosby RD, Mitchell JE, Crow SJ, Peterson CB, et al. The role of affect in the maintenance of anorexia nervosa: evidence from a naturalistic assessment of momentary behaviors and emotion. J Abnorm Psychol. 2013;122:709–19. This study provides evidence of a temporal relationship between affect and ED behaviors among adult women with AN based on ecological momentary assessment. This information may be important in understanding underlying mechanisms that maintain ED pathology over time.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Fassino S, Piero A, Gramaglia C, Abbate-Daga G. Clinical, psychopathological and personality correlates of interoceptive awareness in anorexia nervoa, bulimia nervosa, and obesity. Psychopathology. 2004;37:168–74.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Lush E, Salmon P, Floyd A, Studts JL, Weissbecker I, Sephton SE. Mindfulness meditation for symptom reduction in fibromyalgia: psychophysiological correlates. J Clin Psychol Med Set. 2009;16:200–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Piet J, Hougaard E. The effect of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for prevention of relapse in recurrent major depressive disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Psychol Rev. 2011;31:1032–40.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Leahey TM, Crowther JH, Irwin SR. A cognitive-behavioral mindfulness group therapy intervention for treatment of binge-eating in bariatric surgery patients. Cogn Behav Pract. 2008;15:349–442.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Proulx K. Experiences of women with bulimia nervosa in a mindfulness based eating disorder treatment group. Eat Disord. 2008;16:52–72.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Corstorphine E. Cognitive-emotional-behavioural therapy for the eating disorders: working with beliefs about emotions. Eur Eat Disord Rev. 2007;14:448–61.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Baer RA, Fischer S, Huss DB. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy applied to binge eating: a case study. Cogn Behav Pract. 2005;12:351–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. •• Wanden-Berghe RG, Sanz-Valero J, Wanden-Berghe C. The application of mindfulness to eating disorders treatment: a systematic review. Eat Disord. 2011;19:34–48. This article provides a comprehensive review of the research on mindfulness-based treatment approaches in ED.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Linehan MM. Skills training manual for treating borderline personality disorder. New York: Guilford Press; 1993.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Linehan MM. Cognitive-behavioral treatment of borderline personality disorder. New York: Guilford Press; 1993.

    Google Scholar 

  36. Telch CF, Agras WS, Linehan MM. Dialectical behavior therapy for binge eating disorder. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2001;69:1061–5.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. •• Safer DL, Robinson AH, Jo B. Outcome from a randomized controlled trial of group therapy for binge eating disorder: comparing dialectical behavior therapy adapted for binge eating to an active comparison group therapy. Behav Ther. 2010;41:106–20. This study is a recent RCT of DBT for the treatment of binge eating.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Chen EY, Matthews L, Allen C, Kuo JR, Linehan MM. Dialectical behavior therapy for clients with binge eating disorder or bulimia nervosa and borderline personality disorder. Int J Eat Disord. 2008;41:505–12.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Palmer RL, Birchall H, Damani S, Gatward N, McGrain L, Parker L. A dialectical behavior therapy program for people with an eating disorder and borderline personality disorder - description and outcome. Int J Eat Disord. 2003;33:281–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. •• Hill DM, Craighead LW, Safer DL. Appetite-focused dialectical behavior therapy for the treatment of binge eating with purging: a preliminary trial. Int J Eat Disord. 2011;44:249–61. This study examined the efficacy of a modified version of DBT in which the content was more focused on appetite than in traditional DBT.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Hayes SC, Strosahl KD, Wilson KG. Acceptance and commitment therapy: an experiential approach to behavior change. New York: Guilford Press; 1999.

    Google Scholar 

  42. •• Manlick CF, Cochran SV, Koon J. Acceptance and commitment therapy for eating disorders: rationale and literature review. J Contemp Psychother. 2013;43:115–22. This article provides a theoretical rationale for the application of acceptance and commitment therapy to ED treatment.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Heffner M, Sperry J, Eifert GH, Detweiler M. Acceptance and commitment therapy in treatment of an adolescent female with anorexia nervosa: a case example. Cogn Behav Pract. 2002;9:232–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Berman MI, Boutelle KN, Crow SJ. A case series investigating acceptance and commitment therapy as a treatment for previously treated, unremitted patients with anorexia nervosa. Eur Eat Disord Rev. 2009;17:426–34.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. •• Juarascio AS, Forman EM, Herbert JD. Acceptance and commitment therapy versus cognitive therapy for the treatment of comorbid eating pathology. Behav Modif. 2010;34:175–90. This is the first study to compare the efficacy of acceptance and commitment therapy for the treatment of ED to an active comparison treatment.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. •• Juarascio A, Shaw J, Forman E, Timko CA, Herbert J, Butryn M, et al. Acceptance and commitment therapy as a novel treatment for eating disorders: an initial test of efficacy and mediation. Behav Modif. 2013;37:459–89. This study examined the efficacy of ACT compared with treatment as usual for AN and BN, as well as examined mechanisms by which change occurs in the treatment.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Kaye W. Neurobiology of anorexia and bulimia nervosa. Physiol Behav. 2008;94:121–35.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Spoor STP, Bekker MHJ, Van Strien T, van Heck GL. Relations between negative affect, coping, and emotional eating. Appetite. 2007;48:368–76.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Strober M. Pathologic fear conditioning and anorexia nervosa: on the search for novel paradigms. Int J Eat Disord. 2004;35:504–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. •• Wildes JE, Ringham RM, Marcus MD. Emotion avoidance in patients with anorexia nervosa: initial test of a functional model. Int J Eat Disord. 2010;43:398–404. This study provides evidence support for the theory that individuals with AN may use ED behaviors to avoid emotional states.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. •• Wildes JE, Marcus MD. Development of emotion acceptance behavior therapy for anorexia nervosa: a case series. Int J Eat Disord. 2011;44:421–7. This study describes a pilot study of EABT for the treatment of AN.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Malleson N. Panic and phobia: a possible method of treatment. Lancet. 1959;1:225–7.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Rosen JC, Leitenberg H. Bulimia nervosa: treatment with exposure and response prevention. Behav Ther. 1982;13:117–24.

    Google Scholar 

  54. Carter FA, Bulik CM. Exposure treatments for bulimia nervosa: procedure, efficacy, and mechanisms. Adv Behav Res Ther. 1994;16:77–129.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  55. •• McIntosh VVW, Carter FA, Bulik CM, Frampton CMA, Joyce PR. Five-year outcome of cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure with response prevention for bulimia nervosa. Psychol Med. 2011;41:1061–71. This study examined long-term outcome of individuals who received ERP for the treatment of BN.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  56. Leitenberg H, Rosen JC, Gross J, Nudelman S, Vara LS. Exposure plus response-prevention treatment of bulimia nervosa. J Consult Clin Psychol. 1988;56:535–41.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  57. •• Koskina A, Campbell IC, Schmidt U. Exposure therapy in eating disorders revisited. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2013;37:193–208. This article reviews the evidence on the efficacy of ERP for the treatment of ED.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  58. Kaye WH, Bulik CM, Thornton L, Barbarich N, Masters K. Comorbidity of anxiety disorders with anorexia and bulimia nervosa. Am J Psychiatry. 2004;161:2215–21.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  59. Silberg JL, Bulik CM. The developmental association between eating disorders symptoms and symptoms of depression and anxiety in juvenile twin girls. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2005;46:1317–26.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  60. Strober M, Freeman R, Lampert C, Diamond J. The association of anxiety disorders and obsessive compulsive personality disorder with anorexia nervosa: evidence from a family study with discussion of nosological and neurodevelopmental implications. Int J Eat Disord. 2007;40:S46–51.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  61. Boutelle KN. The use of exposure with response prevention in a male anorexic. J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry. 1998;29:79–84.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  62. Goldfarb LA, Fuhr R, Tsujimoto RN, Fischman SE. Systematic desensitization and relaxation as adjuncts in the treatment of anorexia nervosa: a preliminary study. Psychol Rep. 1987;60:511–18.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  63. Hauserman N, Lavin P. Post-hospitalization continuation treatment of anorexia nervosa. J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry. 1977;29:309–13.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  64. •• Steinglass JE, Sysko R, Glasofer D, Albano AM, Simpson HB, Walsh BT. Rationale for the application of exposure and response prevention to the treatment of anorexia nervosa. Int J Eat Disord. 2011;44:134–41. This article describes the rationale for using ERP for the treatment of AN.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  65. •• Steinglass J, Albano AM, Simpson HB, Carpenter K, Schebendach J, Attia E. Fear of food as a treatment target: exposure and response prevention for anorexia nervosa in an open series. Int J Eat Disord. 2012;45:615–21. This article describes a pilot study of ERP for the treatment of AN.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  66. •• Delinsky SS, Wilson GT. Cognitive behavior therapy with body image exposure for bulimia nervosa: a case example. Cogn Behav Pract. 2010;17:270–7. This study describes a case in which body image exposure was used to treat BN.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  67. Key A, George CL, Beattie D, Stammers K, Lacey H, Waller G. Body image treatment within an inpatient program for anorexia nervosa: the role of mirror exposure in the desensitization process. Int J Eat Disord. 2002;31:185–90.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  68. •• Hildebrandt T, Loeb K, Troupe S, Delinsky S. Adjunctive mirror exposure for eating disorders: a randomized controlled pilot study. Behav Res Ther. 2012;50:797–804. This article describes a pilot study of adjunctive mirror exposure for ED.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  69. Mahon J. Dropping out from psychological treatment for eating disorders: what are the issues? Eur Eat Disord Rev. 2000;8:198–216.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  70. Vitousek K, Watson S, Wilson GT. Enhancing motivation for change in treatment-resistant eating disorders. Clin Psychol Rev. 1998;18:391–420.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  71. Miller WR, Rollnick S. Motivational interviewing. 2nd ed. New York: Guilford Press; 2002.

    Google Scholar 

  72. •• Geller J, Brown KE, Srikameswaran S. The efficacy of a brief motivational intervention for individuals with eating disorders: a randomized control trial. Int J Eat Disord. 2011;44:497–505. This study examined whether individuals who completed a brief motivational interviewing treatment prior to starting ED treatment.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  73. •• Geller J, Dunn EC. Integrating motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral therapy in the treatment of eating disorders: tailoring interventions to patient readiness for change. Cogn Behav Pract. 2011;18:5–15. This article provides a rationale for integrating motivational interviewing and CBT for the treatment of ED.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  74. Cassin SE, von Ranson KM, Heng K, Brar J, Wojtowiez AE. Adapted motivational interviewing for women with binge eating disorder: a randomized controlled trial. Psychol Addict Behav. 2008;22:417–25.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  75. •• Macdonald P, Hibbs R, Corfield F, Treasure J. The use of motivational interviewing in eating disorders: a systematic review. Psychiatry Res. 2012;200:1–11. This article reviews the evidence regarding the efficacy of motivational interviewing for the treatment of ED.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  76. •• Dray J, Wade TD. Is the transtheoretical model and motivational interviewing approach applicable to the treatment of eating disorders? A review. Clin Psychol Rev. 2012;32:558–65. This article reviews the evidence regarding the efficacy of motivational interviewing for the treatment of ED.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  77. Fairburn CG. Overcoming binge eating. New York: Guilford Press; 1995.

    Google Scholar 

  78. National Institute of Clinical Excellence. Eating disorders: core interventions in the treatment and management of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and related eating disorders. London: National Institute for Clinical Excellence; 2004.

  79. Fairburn CG. Cognitive behavior therapy and eating disorders. New York: Guilford Press; 2008.

    Google Scholar 

  80. Fairburn CG, Cooper Z, Doll HA, O'Connor ME, Bohn K, Hawker DM, et al. Transdiagnostic cognitive-behaviroal therapy for patients with eating disorders: a two-site trial with 60-week follow-up. Am J Psychiatry. 2009;166:311–19.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  81. •• Fairburn CG, Cooper Z, Doll HA, O'Connor ME, Palmer RL, Grave RD. Enhanced cognitive behaviour therapy for adults with anorexia nervosa: a UK-Italy study. Behav Res Ther. 2013;51:2–8. This study provides evidence regarding the efficacy of enhanced cognitive affective therapy for the treatment of adults with AN.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  82. •• Dalle Grave R, Calugi S, Doll HA, Fairburn CG. Enhanced cognitive behaviour therapy for adolescents with anorexia nervosa: an alternative to family therapy? Behav Res Ther. 2013;51:9–12. This study describes the application of CBT-E to the treatment of adolescents with AN.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  83. •• Wonderlich SA, Peterson CB, Crosby RD, Smith TL, Klein MH, Mitchell JE, et al. A randomized controlled comparison of integrative cognitive-affective therapy (ICAT) and enhanced cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT-E) for bulimia nervosa. Psychol Med. 2013, May 23 [Epub ahead of print]. This study describes a large, RCT comparing ICAT to CBT-E for the treatment of BN.

  84. Peterson CB, Wonderlich SA, Mitchell JE, Crow SJ. Integrative cognitive therapy for bulimia nervosa. In: Thompson J, editor. Handbook of eating disorders and obesity. New York: Wiley; 2004.

    Google Scholar 

  85. •• Robinson A. Integrative response therapy for binge eating disorder. Cogn Behav Pract. 2013;20:93–105. This article describes the rationale for, as well as pilot data on, IRT for BED.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  86. Gull WW. Anorexia nervosa (apepsia hysterica, anorexia hysterica). Trans Clin Soc Lond. 1874;7:222–8.

    Google Scholar 

  87. •• Lock J, Le Grange D, Agras WS, Moye A, Bryson SW, Jo B. Randomized control trial comparing family-based treatment with adolescent-focused individual therapy for adolescents with anorexia nervosa. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2010;67:1025–32. This study describes the results of a large, RCT comparing FBT to adolescent-focused treatment for the treatment of adolescents with AN.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  88. Strober M, Freeman R, Morrell W. The long-term course of severe anorexia nervosa in adolescents: survival analysis of recovery, relapse, and outcome predictors over 10–15 years in a prospective study. Int J Eat Disord. 1997;22:339–60.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  89. Lock J, Le Grange D, Agras WS, Dare C. Treatment manual for anorexia nervosa. New York: Guilford Press; 2001.

    Google Scholar 

  90. Lock J, Le Grange D. Family-based treatment of eating disorders. Int J Eat Disord. 2005;37:S64–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  91. Le Grange D, Lock J. Treating bulimia in adolescents. New York: Guilford Press; 2007.

    Google Scholar 

  92. •• Chen EY, Le Grange D, Doyle AC, Zaitsoff S, Doyle P, Roehrig JP, et al. A case series of family-based therapy for weight restoration in young adults with anorexia nervosa. J Contemp Psychother. 2010;40:219–24. This article describes a modification of FBT in the treatment of young adults with AN.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  93. •• Rockwell RE, Boutelle K, Trunko ME, Jacobs MJ, Kaye WH. A innovative short-term, intensive, family-based treatment for adolescent anorexia nervosa: case series. Eur Eat Disord Rev. 2011;19:362–7. This article describes a modification of FBT in which families are seen intensively over the course of 1 week.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  94. Fairburn CG. Evidence-based treatment of anorexia nervosa. Int J Eat Disord. 2005;37:S26–30.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  95. Tozzi F, Sullivan PF, Fear J, Mckenzie J, Bulik CM. Causes and recovery in anorexia nervosa: a controlled study. Int J Eat Disord. 2003;33:143–54.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  96. •• Bulik CM, Baucom DH, Kirby JS, Pisetsky E. Uniting couples (in the treatment of) anorexia nervosa (UCAN). Int J Eat Disord. 2011;44:19–28. This article describes the rationale for treatment of AN in the context of couples therapy.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Compliance with Ethics Guidelines

Conflict of Interest

Kelly C. Berg declares that she has no conflict of interest.

Stephen A. Wonderlich has received grants from the National Institute of Mental Health and payment for lectures including service on speakers bureaus from.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kelly C. Berg.

Additional information

This article is part of the Topical Collection on Eating Disorders

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Berg, K.C., Wonderlich, S.A. Emerging Psychological Treatments in the Field of Eating Disorders. Curr Psychiatry Rep 15, 407 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-013-0407-y

Download citation

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-013-0407-y

Keywords

Navigation