INTEGRATIVE PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR BULIMIC PATIENTS WITH COMORBID PERSONALITY-DISORDERS

Despite the development of effective treatments for bulimia nervosa, e specially cognitive behavioral therapy, a considerable percentage of p atients remain symptomatic at the end of most treatment studies. One f actor that predicts poor outcome is the presence of comorbid personali ty disorder. Several treatments for. bulimia nervosa patients with per sonality disorders have been recommended, including both cognitive beh avioral and psychodynamic approaches. A closer inspection of these tre atments, however; reveals surprising similarities that include both th e dosage of treatment as well as the range of clinical activities. The dosage of therapy involves twice a week treatment for at least a year . Clinical activities involve both active suggestion and interpretatio n of the therapeutic relationship. Interpersonal theory is used as a t heoretical bridge and Howard et al.'s phase model of psychotherapy is used as a empirical bridge for explaining the convergence of psychothe rapies in the treatment of bulimia nervosa patients with personality d isorders.