New Research Findings
Focus on Perfectionism in Female Adolescent Anorexia Nervosa
Int J Eat Disord 2015; 48:936-941)
Research indicates that Maudsley Family-Based Treatment (FBT) is successful for 50-80% of adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa (AN). However, as much as 60% of these individuals are in the clinical range for low weight and/or continue to display eating disorder behaviors. Research has shown an initial high level of perfectionism interferes with positive treatment outcomes and increases the chances of treatment drop out. Perfectionism plays a critical role in an adolescents’ dieting and rigid behaviors. When perfectionism and distorted perceptions of body image are paired, there is a strong foundation for eating disorder behaviors. A variety of cognitive distortions help in maintaining anorexic behaviors. It is believed that perfectionism is what drives attempts to control one’s eating, shape, weight, and portray the perfection to others.
To increase the success rate, researchers supplemented FBT with additional individual therapy to improve cognitive flexibility. During individual therapy, obsessional thoughts and impaired cognitive and behavioral inflexibility (rigidity and perfectionism) were addressed. The additional therapy is thought to not only improve cognitive functioning but also prevent relapse and decrease the development of comorbid disorders.
This study hypothesized that a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) approach along with FBT would reduce perfectionism, inflexible/rigid thinking behaviors and improve unhelpful thinking styles. This approach reduced eating disorder symptoms and improving the rate of recovery in adolescents with AN. Treatment involved 20 FBT sessions over 12 months and an additional to 9 individual CBT sessions that specifically addressed perfectionism. Research results concluded that CBT may increase the ability to perceive making mistakes as an opportunity for new learning rather than failure or “nothing being perfect.” This approach also reported individuals being less critical of themselves in relation to their weight, shape, and body image.
Int J Eat Disord 2015; 48:936-941)
Research indicates that Maudsley Family-Based Treatment (FBT) is successful for 50-80% of adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa (AN). However, as much as 60% of these individuals are in the clinical range for low weight and/or continue to display eating disorder behaviors. Research has shown an initial high level of perfectionism interferes with positive treatment outcomes and increases the chances of treatment drop out. Perfectionism plays a critical role in an adolescents’ dieting and rigid behaviors. When perfectionism and distorted perceptions of body image are paired, there is a strong foundation for eating disorder behaviors. A variety of cognitive distortions help in maintaining anorexic behaviors. It is believed that perfectionism is what drives attempts to control one’s eating, shape, weight, and portray the perfection to others.
To increase the success rate, researchers supplemented FBT with additional individual therapy to improve cognitive flexibility. During individual therapy, obsessional thoughts and impaired cognitive and behavioral inflexibility (rigidity and perfectionism) were addressed. The additional therapy is thought to not only improve cognitive functioning but also prevent relapse and decrease the development of comorbid disorders.
This study hypothesized that a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) approach along with FBT would reduce perfectionism, inflexible/rigid thinking behaviors and improve unhelpful thinking styles. This approach reduced eating disorder symptoms and improving the rate of recovery in adolescents with AN. Treatment involved 20 FBT sessions over 12 months and an additional to 9 individual CBT sessions that specifically addressed perfectionism. Research results concluded that CBT may increase the ability to perceive making mistakes as an opportunity for new learning rather than failure or “nothing being perfect.” This approach also reported individuals being less critical of themselves in relation to their weight, shape, and body image.
