There are many different forms of treatment available for eating disorder sufferers, such as interpersonal therapy (IPT), cognitive analytic therapy (CAT) and family therapy. This article aims to explore the effectiveness and application of CBT-E to treat eating disorders with key areas to be examined listed below.
- What is CBT-E?
- How is CBT-E used?
- Key advantages of CBT-E
What is CBT-E for Eating Disorders?
CBT-E stands for Enhanced Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and was originally used in the 1970s in the treatment of adult bulimia sufferers within an outpatient setting. The approach is time-limited and was both enhanced and adapted to form the successful, research proven (thorough clinical trials) method it is today, used in the treatment of all types of eating disorders. A key element of this treatment is that it focuses on treating the eating disorder psychopathology as opposed to the diagnosis of an eating disorder.
How is CBT-E Used for Eating Disorder Patients?
CBT-E is used in a variety of different settings and has two levels of intensity involving 20 sessions for those with a BMI over 17.5 and 40 sessions for those with a BMI between 15.0 and 17.5. The approach consists of two main forms - the focused (often referred to as the default version) version used in the majority of cases and solely encompassing the eating disorder psychopathology as well as the broad version which is aimed at challenging maintenance factors which serve to keep the eating disorder cycle going round such as perfectionism and low self-esteem.
CBT-E involves four key stages which will now be explored. Stage one is vital as it sets the tone for the rest of treatment and introduces the patient to two core CBT-E aspects - in-session weighing and regular eating. This stage also aims to engage the sufferer, create a formulation plan and educate on significant issues. Stage two involves reviewing progress, identifying barriers to change and adapting the case formulation in order to adjust treatment appropriately and identify sufferers who may not be doing so well. Stage three is recognised as one of the most important stages which focuses upon identifying and challenging maintenance factors while stage four involves valuable relapse risk-minimisation planning together with working to ensure changes remain.
Key Advantages of CBT-E for Eating Disorder Treatment
The main advantages of the CBT-E approach include the following: it is time-limited, clinically proven as effective, flexible, dependence limiting and can be used in a whole variety of different settings and may be adapted depending for example on the sufferer's age and weight.
Source:
Fairburn, C. (2008) CBT and Eating Disorders London: Guilford Press
Kate Le Page - Kate Henning-Le Page writes about eating disorders, body image and recovery issues. She specializes in anorexia recovery.
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