[Treatment of primary obesity by long-term dose fasting combined with psychotherapy]

A long-term dosed fasting of inpatients has been conducted during 18 days followed by rehabilitation period and one year examination. Forty patients have been divided into two groups: with- or without hyperphagic reaction to stress. In both groups, beside body weight increase and eating disturbance, psychovegetative, algic and affective emotional syndromes were represented. Psychological study revealed significant differences in psychological defense mechanisms and personality features. The differences detected were taken into account during the treatment process. Psychotherapy was conducted in each treatment stage. Patients with hyperphagic reaction to stress responded more effectively, the clinic symptoms being reduced quicker. It might be explained, partially, by their stronger desire to reduce weight that facilitates psychotherapeutic correction. Psychotherapy combined with long-term dosed fasting enables to develop and maintain a right eating behavior style in the patient. As a result, 80% of the patients have been keeping the treatment results achieved for more than a one-year period.