Insights from a Sixty-Four-Year Case of Anorexia Nervosa : Constancy and Change in Symptoms and Treatment

This volume offers rare insight into an enduring case of anorexia nervosa in a female patient and details the approaches to treatment taken by psychotherapists throughout the 64 year period 1938-2002.

Through discussion and analysis of clinical notes and transcripts, Lipsitt traces the course of the patient’s illness to consider the centrality of the mother-daughter relationship and to highlight aspects of constancy and change in the illness over time. Particular attention is paid to shifts and progress in understanding and treatment of anorexia nervosa, and consideration is also given to how contemporary treatment might differ in view of more recent advances in cognitive behavioral approaches. Offering an innovative approach toward addressing the transgenerational perspective of women’s experiences of eating disorders, this book provides material for a range of professionals to discuss the nature of the disorder and the pros and cons of different treatment approaches.

An original take on the relationship dynamics and perspectives of anorexia sufferers, this volume will be of interest to students, faculty and scholars with an interest in studying eating disorders and their treatment approaches, including psychoanalytic psychotherapy.