Background: The transdiagnostic model of eating disorders provides an evidence-based cognitive-behavioral treatment approach, emphasizing the maintaining factors of low selfesteem, perfectionism, mood intolerance and interpersonal difficulties. Although attachment quality is associated with these factors, there is no treatment model focusing on both attachment-related and cognitive-behavioral maintaining factors of the symptoms. Aims: The aim was to construct and test a multilevel treatment model, which integrates attachment interventions into the transdiagnostic treatment of eating disorders. Methods: Relevant aspects of attachment functioning were joined together with the four cognitivebehavioral maintaining factors of the symptoms, and attachment interventions were incorporated into an extended transdiagnostic treatment of a bulimia nervosa and a binge eating disorder patient. Results: Attachment domains could be integrated into the transdiagnostic model of eating disorders at both the case conceptualization and treatment level. The improvement of attachment functioning was related to treatment outcomes at a one month follow-up. Conclusions: When attachment dysfunctions contribute to precipitating or maintaining mechanisms of eating disorder symptoms a multilevel treatment targeting both the relevant aspects of attachment and cognitive-behavioral functioning can be suggested. Randomized controlled studies with different intervention groups are required to confirm the result of these case studies.
In eating disorders, the denial of the illness is a central phenomenon. In the most severe forms of anorexia, compulsory treatment may be necessary. The professional acceptance of involuntary treatment is controversial due to the fact that the autonomy of the patient is juxtaposed with the obligation of the health care practitioner to save lives. This paper discusses the major practical and ethical considerations surrounding this controversy. In addition, case vignettes are used to illustrate various strategies to diminish client resistance and enhance motivation toward treatment. Involving the family is nearly always essential for the treatment of patients with eating disorders. In some cases, parental consultation (i.e., treatment without the client) can also be an option. Home visits, though rarely used, can reframe the therapeutic relationship and provide information about family functioning. In general, a lower level of treatment coercion can be achieved through transparent client‐parent and client‐therapist communication.
Background: Attachment theory has been used in personalized treatments since decades. It is a major framework for understanding images of the self, affect regulation, reflective functions and interpersonal relationships. The improvement of attachment functioning is associated with positive treatment outcomes in eating disorders. However, attachment interventions have not been summarized in their psychotherapy. Aims: The aim was to review the relevance of attachment features in the psychotherapy of eating disorders. Methods: A literature review was carried out for empirical review and case studies, using the terms "eating disorder" and "attachment" from 1987 until 2017. From the 320 matches, 50 relevant studies were integrated into this review. Results: The relationship between dysfunctional attachment and eating disorders could be conceptualized in seven ways, including transgenerational transmissions and mediator personality traits. Attachment can mediate between early experiences and adult symptoms, between intra-and interpersonal experiences, or may moderate the relationship between the risk factors and maladaptive eating. Attachment features also display a direct relationship with eating disorders, or may underlie their maintaining mechanisms. Nine psychotherapeutically relevant mediator factors could be identified, namely the patient's self-concept and emotionregulation, the conflation of self-esteem and body satisfaction, a sensitive interpersonal style, levels of perfectionism, depression, alexithymia, mentalization and reflective functions. Conclusions: The assessment of attachment dysfunctions in the individual symptomatology may facilitate personalized case models. For patients with severe attachment dysfunctions, multimodal psychotherapies targeting the described focal points could be recommended. Randomized, controlled studies are required to test the efficacy of the interventions summarized, and to determine indications.
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