Systematic Desensitization and Relaxation as Adjuncts in the Treatment of Anorexia Nervosa: A Preliminary Study

Abstract

This preliminary work assessed the effectiveness of systematic desensitization and relaxation training as adjuncts in the treatment of anorexia nervosa. All subjects (18 female anorexics) received behavioral contracting and supportive psychotherapy from the same psychiatrist. Seven were randomly assigned to receive either desensitization (n = 4) or relaxation training (n = 3) as an adjunctive treatment. Data on the 11 subjects without adjunctive treatment came from closed case files. Contrary to prediction, all significant differences in outcome favored use of relaxation. Relaxation was associated with higher self-esteem and less fear of fat than desensitization was at the 6-mo. follow-up and relaxation was associated with much better outcome at 18 mo. than were desensitization or no adjunctive treatment. Anorexia appears to differ from classical phobias in two ways, which may explain the unexpected effectiveness of relaxation training.