Work

Expanding exposure‐based interventions for eating disorders

Year: 2017

Type: article

Abstract: Initial trials evaluating exposure-based interventions for eating disorders (EDs) in the 1980s demonstrated mixed results. Since that time, innovations in exposure therapy for anxiety disorders have yielded insights that can be used to refine and expand the approach to effectively target ED behaviors. This article provides a brief summary of relevant advances in exposure therapy for anxiety and outlines how these advances may be adapted and evaluated for use with ED samples. More specifically, we propose shifting to an inhibitory learning framework, considering treatment targets other than fear, and increasing variability in exposure techniques represent three important areas for future study. Overall, this article aims to provide professionals in the field with a framework for how to incorporate cutting-edge advances in exposure therapy into rigorous intervention research for EDs.

Source: International Journal of Eating Disorders

DOI: 10.1002/eat.22761

Authors: Erin E. Reilly, Lisa M. Anderson, Sasha Gorrell, Katherine Schaumberg, Drew A. Anderson

Institutions: University of California San Diego, University at Albany, State University of New York, University of Minnesota, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Language: English

Topic: Eating Disorders and Behaviors

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Institute of Mental Health