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Using imagery in cognitive‐behavioral treatment for eating disorders: Tackling the restrictive mode
Author(s) -
Mountford Victoria,
Waller Glenn
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
international journal of eating disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.785
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1098-108X
pISSN - 0276-3478
DOI - 10.1002/eat.20329
Subject(s) - psychology , schema (genetic algorithms) , cognition , cognitive psychology , cognitive style , eating disorders , psychological intervention , personality , cognitive therapy , psychotherapist , clinical psychology , social psychology , psychiatry , machine learning , computer science
A restrictive thinking style in the eating disorders, often referred to as “anorexic thinking,” is often resistant to cognitive‐behavioral interventions, even when apparent motivation is relatively high. It is argued that this difficulty is due in part to the ingrained nature of such thinking patterns, regardless of diagnosis. Those patterns reflect the ego‐syntonic element of the eating disorders, and manifest as difficulty for the patient in identifying and challenging negative automatic thoughts and maladaptive core beliefs. There is a need to develop cognitive techniques that allow the individual to identify maladaptive cognitions as reflecting their restrictive schema mode, rather than being the only way of thinking and seeing the world. This study describes the use of imagery to enable patients to distinguish the restrictive thoughts from other cognitive perspectives. The restrictive “mode” is presented as part of the individual's personality structure (drawing on cognitive‐behavioral models of personality), rather than being an external entity. This technique is designed to facilitate conventional cognitive‐behavioral therapy, freeing the patient to challenge her cognitions and to engage in behavioral experiments. We present case material to illustrate this technique and its use in conjunction with other cognitive‐behavioral techniques. Future directions and potential limitations are also discussed. © 2006 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.