THE USE OF EXPOSURE WITH RESPONSE PREVENTION IN A MALE ANOREXIC

The present case study describes the use of exposure with response pre vention (ERP) in a 24-yr-old male with anorexia nervosa. In this case, ERP offered an opportunity to address problematic cognitions and decr ease the anxiety associated with consumption of high fat/high calorie foods. By the end of 34 treatment sessions, the client's distress decr eased while eating high-fat/high-calorie foods and he integrated a gre ater variety of foods in his diet. Implication for conceptualizing ano rexia nervosa within an anxiety reduction/avoidance cycle is discussed with reference to the recent literature. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Lt d. All rights reserved.