A 16-year-old adolescent male was treated with systematic desensitization and cognitive restructuring for anorexia nervosa over a five-year period. Results were evaluated by means of a single-subject design. Introduction and withdrawal of systematic desensitization had a clear and systematic effect upon weight gain. Introduction of cognitive restructuring also had a clear effect on weight gain. Moreover, when cognitive restructuring treatment was withdrawn, weight gain was maintained. Results were discussed in terms of clinical and experimental control of behavior and the need for extended follow-up studies.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Agras, W.S. , Barlow, D. H., Chapin, H.N., Abel, G.G., & Leitenberg, H.Behavior modification of anorexia nervosa. Archives of General Psychiatry', 1974, 30, 279-286.
2.
Bachrach, A.J. , Erwin, W.J., & Mohr, P.J.The control of eating behavior in an anorexic by operant conditioning technique. In L.P. Ullmann and L. Krasner (Eds.), Case studies in behavior modification. New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 1965.
3.
Beck, A.T.Cognitive therapy and the emotional disorders. New York: International Universities Press, 1976.
4.
Bhanji, S. , & Thompson, J.Operant conditioning in the treatment of anorexia nervosa: A review and retrospective study of 11 cases. British Journal of Psychiatry, 1974, 124, 166-172.
Bruch, H.Perils of behavior modification in treatment of anorexia nervosa . Journal of the American Medical Association, 1974, 230, 1419-1422.
7.
Elkin, T.E. , Hersen, M., Eisler, R.M., & Williams, J.G.Modification of caloric intake in anorexia nervosa: An experimental analysis. Psychological Reports, 1973, 32, 75-78.
8.
Erwin, W.J.A 16-year follow-up of a case of severe anorexia nervosa . Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 1977, 8, 157-160.
9.
Goetz, P.L. , Succop, R.A., Reinhart, J.B., & Miller, A.Anorexia nervosa in children: A follow-up study. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 1977, 47, 597-603.
10.
Hallsten, E.A.Adolescent anorexia nervosa treated by desensitization . Behavior Research and Therapy, 1965, 3, 87-91.
11.
Halmi, K.A.Anorexia nervosa: Demographic and clinical features in 94 cases . Psychosomatic Medicine, 1974, 36, 18-26.
12.
Hersen, M. , & Barlow, D.H.Single case experimental designs: Strategies for studying behavior change. New York: Pergamon, 1976.
13.
Lang, P.J.Behavior therapy with a case of nervous anorexia. In L.P. Ullmann & L. Krasner (Eds.), Case studies in behavior modification. New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 1965.
14.
Leibman, R. , Minuchin, S., & Baker, L.An integrated treatment program for anorexia nervosa. American Journal of Psychiatry, 1974, 131, 432-436.
15.
Lesser, L. , Ashenden, B.J., Debuskey, M., & Eisenberg, L.Anorexia nervosa in children. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 1960, 30, 572-580.
16.
Mahoney, M.J. , & Mahoney, K.Treatment of obesity: a clinical exploration. In B.J. Williams et al., Obesity: Behavioral approaches to dietary1 management. New York: Brunner/Mazel, 1975.
17.
Meichenbaum, D. , & Cameron, L.The clinical potential of modifying what clients say to themselves. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice, 1974, 11, 103-117.
18.
Schnurer, A.T. , Rubin, R.R., & Roy, A.Systematic desensitization of anorexia nervosa seen as a weight phobia. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 1973, 4, 149-153.
19.
Stunkard, A.J.Anorexia nervosa. In J.B. Sanford (Ed.), The science and practice of clinical medicine. New York: Grune & Stratton, 1975.
20.
Stunkard, A.J. , & Mahoney, M.J.Behavioral treatment of the eating disorders. In H. Leitenberg (Ed.), Handbook of behavior modification and behavior therapy. Engle-wood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1976.
21.
Wolpe, J.The practice of behavior therapy (2nd ed.). New York: Pergamon, 1973.
