Anorexia Nervosa

ANOREXIA NERVOSA

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy

A. Anorexia Nervosa - DSM IV -TR Criteria (307.1)

A. Refusal to maintain body weight at or above a minimally normal weight for age and height (e.g. weight loss leading to maintenance of body weight less than 85% of that expected; or failure to make expected weight gain during period of growth, leading to body weight less than 85% of that expected)

B. Intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, even though underweight

C. Disturbance in the way in which one's body weight or shape is experienced, undue influence of body weight or shape on self-evaluation, or denial of the seriousness of the current low body weight.

D. In postmenarcheal females, amenorrhea, i.e., the absence of at least three consecutive menstrual cycles. (A woman is considered to have amenorrhea if her periods occur only following hormone, e.g., estrogen, administration).

Specify Type:

Restricting Type - During the current episode of Anorexia Nervosa, the person has not regularly engaged in binge-eating or purging behavior (i.e. self-induced vomiting or the misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or enemas)

Binge Eating/Purging Type - during the current episode of Anorexia Nervosa, the person has regularly engaged in binge-eating or purging behavior (i.e. self induced vomiting or the misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or enemas)

* Chosen Population -

* Anorexia Nervosa is far more prevalent in industrialized societies

* It is most common in the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and South Africa.

* More than 90% of cases of Anorexia Nervosa occur in females.

* Anorexia rarely begins before puberty and is most likely to begin between the ages of 14 and 18.

* The onset of the disorder rarely begins in females over the age of 40.

* 1.6% lifetime prevalence for anorexia (the course is more chronic than bulimia)

* Compared to Caucasians, the prevalence of eating disorders is lower among African American and Asian American females.

* Introduction to Dialectical Behavior Therapy:

(One of the main interventions used at Remuda Ranch Treatment Center)

Key Points:

* DBT honors the client's resistance and is a readiness-based model that matches treatment to the client's stage of readiness.

* DBT teaches patients skills