Family dynamics and treatment of anorexia nervosa and bulimia

Abstract

This paper describes the nature of the family involvement typically observed in anorexia nervosa and bulimia and the role of family therapy in a comprehensive treatment approach. Both the patterns of family interaction observed by clinicians and researchers and the varieties of family treatment used to address these disorders are described. The different types of relationships observed between the eating-disordered patient and the family are also described.