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Review
. 2020 Nov;33(6):534-541.
doi: 10.1097/YCO.0000000000000642.

Developments in the psychological treatment of anorexia nervosa and their implications for daily practice

Alberte Jansingh  1   2 , Unna N Danner  1   2   3 , Hans W Hoek  4   5   6 , Annemarie A van Elburg  1   2   3
Affiliations
Review

Developments in the psychological treatment of anorexia nervosa and their implications for daily practice

Alberte Jansingh et al. Curr Opin Psychiatry. 2020 Nov.

Abstract

Purpose of review: Our aim is to give an overview of the recent literature on psychological treatment for young adults and adults with anorexia nervosa and to discuss the implications of the findings for clinical practice.

Recent findings: Three systematic reviews and meta-analyses have recently been published on psychological treatments for anorexia nervosa. Treatment outcomes are still modest and mainly focus on weight outcome, although outcomes for eating disorder disease and quality of life have also been reported. Adhering to a treatment protocol might lead to faster and better results.

Summary: For children and adolescents with anorexia nervosa, the major guidelines recommend a family-based treatment. The treatments of choice for young adults and adults with anorexia nervosa are the Maudsley Anorexia Nervosa Treatment for Adults (MANTRA), Cognitive Behaviour Therapy-Enhanced (CBT-E) and Specialist Supportive Clinical Management (SSCM), but none of these treatments seem to be superior. In search of other ways to improve outcome, shared decision making may be a way to help patients become more involved in their treatment, enhance their motivation and consequently improve the outcome.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

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