Improved strategies are needed both in supporting inpatients to tolerate the group therapy setting and in helping them to develop the skills necessary for participation. Further larger-scale research in this area is needed to consolidate these findings.

BackgroundTo evaluate self-reported outcomes after a brief course of skills-based individual therapy for inpatients with anorexia nervosa (AN).MethodsIn this case series study 37 adults with AN participated in cognitive remediation and emotion skills training (CREST) sessions, and completed social anhedonia, alexithymia and motivational measures before and after the intervention.ResultsThe CREST primary outcome measures were total scores on the Revised Social Anhedonia Scale (RSAS), which decreased significantly (p = 0.03) with an effect size of 0.31, and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS), which also decreased significantly (p = 0.05) with an effect size of 0.35. The secondary outcome measures focused on motivation: perceived ‘importance to change’ and ‘ability to change’; the second of which increased significantly (p < 0.001) with a medium effect size (d = 0.71).ConclusionsThe individual format of CREST led to a decrease in patients’ self-reported social anhedonia, an improvement in the ability to label their emotions, and increased confidence in their ability to change. Considering the limited number of individual sessions, this is a promising preliminary finding which warrants further research.

BackgroundDifficulties with social relationships have been implicated in both the development and maintenance of Anorexia Nervosa (AN) but the friendship experiences of individuals with AN have not been explored in depth.MethodTen adults with AN took part in a semi-structured interview about their friendship experiences both before and since the onset of their illness.ResultsFive principle themes were identified through thematic analysis: Social Concern; Impact of AN; Social Connectedness; Inflexibility and Preferred Social Activity. Difficulties with friendship were present prior to the onset of AN in all cases, with participants experiencing anxiety in relation to various aspects of their friendships. Participants described mixed experiences of how their AN has affected their friendships but most participants described having less contact with their friends since becoming unwell.ConclusionThis research highlights the role that social difficulties may play in the development of AN, whilst also emphasising the importance of addressing problems with friendship in the course of inpatient treatment.

A group cognitive behavioural approach appears to be efficacious in reducing perfectionism in adults with anorexia nervosa.

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