Understanding the relationship between Restriction and Control in a Case of Anorexia Nervosa

Abstract

This case study looks forward to the behaviour of a 20-year-old female who has been brought to a mental health professional because of her diagnoses of Anorexia Nervosa (Eating Disorder). The patient is a student who has been showing symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa for the last 9 months. Her father decided to bring her to a mental health professional after witnessing her symptoms get worse since the last 7 days compared to the last 9 months of her first showing symptoms of anorexia nervosa. The patient admits to be in stress because of being under pressure of looking like a perfect girl with a slim and fit body which led her to develop these obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours regarding food and physical appearance. Due to the maladaptive thoughts the feelings of shame and socially avoiding interaction had increased. Her treatment includes a mixture of therapies like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT-E), Medical monitoring, Nutritional Rehabilitation and Family Psychoeducation help reduce the symptoms of food restrictive behaviour and remove maladaptive thought processes.