Cognitions in Anorexia Nervosa: Changes at Discharge From a Cognitive Therapy Milieu Inpatient Treatment Program

Abstract

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has been effective in the treatment of various disorders including bulimia nervosa. However, little is known about the effectiveness of CBT on treatment of anorexia nervosa. Thirty-two patients were treated for anorexia nervosa on an inpatient unit. They were evaluated before and after treatment by three measures assessing negative cognitions. The unit milieu was designed to use cognitive therapy principles with CBT being administered primarily in groups, supplemented with individual sessions. At discharge all patients had displayed significant cognitive change in their disorder. Also, at time of discharge, this group of patients had significant changes in their schemas and cognitive distortions consistent with a cognitive therapy perspective. Future research is needed to identify the effect of CBT on anorexia nervosa within a wide variety of treatment settings.