A comprehensive review of psychodynamic treatments for eating disorders

Abstract

Purpose: To comprehensively review the existing literature on the effectiveness of psychodynamic psychotherapies in eating disorders (EDs) and to stimulate both debate and research on this topic.

Methods: Online and hand searches were conducted to identify papers published between 1980 and 2015 on psychodynamic treatments delivered to adults with anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), and binge eating disorder (BED).

Results: A total of 47 studies were finally included in this review. Fifteen studies were available for AN, 9 for BN, 12 for BED, and 11 for samples with mixed diagnoses. Several methodological flaws emerged, but overall psychodynamic interventions showed promising results at the end of treatment and follow-up, when available.

Conclusions: The body of literature on psychodynamic treatments is sparse and sometimes methodologically questionable; nevertheless, current data provide support to the effectiveness of these interventions, particularly for AN. However, both a defined approach (focus, themes, and techniques) and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are warranted to clarify the effectiveness of psychodynamic psychotherapies.

Keywords: Anorexia nervosa; Binge eating disorder; Bulimia nervosa; Psychodynamic psychotherapy; Treatment.