Anorexia Neervosa Case Study

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The patient, “Brandy” is a 19 year old Caucasian female who has witnessed the struggles of being overweight while growing up with an overweight mother and a judgmentally harsh father. The patient also mentioned that, when younger, her father made her feel uncomfortable by making sexual innuendos and scolding both the mother and herself about their weight. Brandy is five feet, five inches tall and weighs approximately 116 pounds. She constantly thinks she is fat and that other people secretly do as well. She cannot stand the way she looks and is now starting to isolate herself from family and friends. Brandy has developed a routine of purging or vomiting after eating any food she thinks will make her gain weight or “fat”. The patient also has feelings of hopelessness and …show more content…

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), “Tailored cognitive behavioral therapy and, to some extent, interpersonal psychotherapy can help people stop bingeing and purging, accept their appearance, and develop healthier ways of coping with stressful situations” (Promising, 2002). Brandy would need to go see a therapist and a nutritionist. She would need to work with them in becoming aware of just how bad this disorder can be and the damage it already has done to her body; damage such as her dental and menstruation problems. This therapy would help Brandy with keeping her emotions and urges to purge under control. This treatment plan will also help her get back on track with her weight by helping her begin to eat normally. Lastly, this therapy will help Brandy overcome her feelings that everyone is looking at her with disgust and her feelings of being fat. Treatment for Brandy’s depression could be treated antidepressants if she chooses. Brandy could also treat her depression with other non-pharmaceutical treatments as well such as exercising, taking on a new project, eating healthier, and sleeping

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