Cognitive Behavioral Model Of Anorexia Nervosa

A licensed copy of Fairburn and colleagues (2003) cognitive behavioral model of anorexia nervosa (AN) which describes a framework to address key components of AN.

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Offers theory, guidance, and prompts for mental health professionals. Downloads are in Fillable PDF format where appropriate.

Overview

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by restriction of energy intake and intense fear of gaining weight. For women, the lifetime prevalence of developing anorexia is between 1.2 and 2.2% (Smink et al, 2012). This is a cognitive behavioral model of anorexia nervosa, and forms part of the transdiagnostic model of eating disorders.

Why Use This Resource?

Understanding the key underpinnings of anorexia nervosa (AN) is important for effective intervention. This resource helps clinicians to:

Understand the maintenance mechanisms of AN.
Explain key symptoms of AN, such as stricted eating and weight loss.
Develop appropriate case formulation for clients struggling with AN.

Key Benefits

Insight

Deepens understanding of disorder maintenance.

Education

Acts as an informative client handout.

Discussion

Promotes exploration of key factors in AN.

Learning

Supports clinician knowledge and supervision.

Who is this for?

Anorexia nervosa (AN)

Including restrictive and binge-purging subtypes.

Integrating it into your practice

Learn

Understand more about the cognitive behavioral model of anorexia nervosa.

Organize

Use the model as a template to organize your case formulations.

Educate

Use your knowledge of the model to explain maintenance processes to clients.

Discuss

Engage clients in discussions about their beliefs and behaviors.

Tailor

Customize interventions based on individual maintenance mechanisms.

Reflect

Use in supervision to discuss case conceptualizations and treatment plans.

Theoretical Background & Therapist Guidance

Fairburn, Cooper and Shafran (2003) suggest that over-evaluation of eating, shape and weight, and their control is central to the maintenance of anorexia nervosa. They propose that this cognitive process drives dieting and weight control behavior which results in ‘starvation syndrome’ and further cognitive changes. Their model of anorexia nervosa presented here describes the maintenance of both a ‘restricting type’ and a ‘binge-eating / purging type’.

In their extended transdiagnostic theory of eating disorders (of which the present maintaining processes form a part) the authors identify a number of additional maintenance mechanisms which operate in some cases of anorexia nervosa. These include clinical perfectionism, core low self-esteem (persistent and pervasive negative self-beliefs that are viewed as part of the individual’s self-identity), mood intolerance (difficulty coping with strong mood states), and interpersonal difficulties. One interesting characteristic of the full transdiagnostic model is that “The patient’s specific eating disorder diagnosis is not of relevance to the treatment. Rather, its content is dictated by the particular psychological features present and the processes that appear to be maintaining them”.

What's inside

A graphical depiction of the model.
Insights into key maintenance mechanisms.
Guidelines for using the resource with clients.

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FAQs

AN is a potentially life-threatening eating disorder characterized by restricted eating, weight loss, and fear of weight gain.

The model explains how cognitive processes such as the over-evaluation of eating, shape, weight and their control maintain anorexia nervosa.

Clinicians use it to guide their case formulation, helping them to effectively target their interventions.

How This Resource Improves Clinical Outcomes

By applying the model, therapists and clients benefit from:

Targeted interventions focusing on key maintenance mechanisms.
Enhanced client engagement through increased understanding of their difficulties.
Improved treatment outcomes by addressing core psychological features.

Clinicians Who Use This Resource Also Use

References And Further Reading

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.
Fairburn, C. G., Cooper, Z., Shafran, R. (2003). Cognitive behaviour therapy for eating disorders: a “transdiagnostic” theory and treatment. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 41, 509-528.

A Guide To Emotions

Cognitive Behavioral Model Of Anorexia Nervosa

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Overview

Why Use This Resource?