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A Psychophysiologically Controlled Exposure Treatment of Severe Body Image Distortion in Eating Disorders

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 June 2009

Pau Pérez Sales ,
Rosa Calvo Sagardoy  and
Teresa Ferrer Gila
Pau Pérez Sales
Affiliation:
Hospital La Paz, Madrid
Rosa Calvo Sagardoy
Affiliation:
Hospital La Paz, Madrid
Teresa Ferrer Gila
Affiliation:
Hospital La Paz, Madrid
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Extract

Although body image problems are a major prognostic factor in the course of eating disorders, its treatment has received little attention in the research literature. We present two psychophysiologically controlled cases of intensive exposure treatment with conflicting outcomes. Pre-post treatment assessments included measurements of body size estimation, body related avoidant attitudes and body dissatisfaction. In case 1, although dissatisfaction and avoidant attitudes decreased, body size overestimation remained basically unchanged. Case 2 did not improve. Psychophysiological recordings showed a covert avoidance of treatment stimuli. We discuss the pros and the cons of the treatment, and the implications for the use of exposure therapy in body image disorders.

Type
Research Article
Information
Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy , Volume 24 , Issue 3 , July 1996 , pp. 223 - 233
Copyright
Copyright © British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies 1996

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References

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