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Published on: May 8, 2018
Drop outs from in-patient treatment of anorexia nervosa
A Zeeck1, A Hartmann, C Buchholz
1Department of Psychosomatics and Psychotherapeutic Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany. zeeck@psysom.ukl.uni-freiburg.de
Objective:
Aim of the study was to identify patient characteristics that distinguish drop outs and completers from in-patient treatment for anorexia nervosa.
Method:
A total of 133 consecutively admitted in-patients with anorexia nervosa (age range 16-50 years; 92.5% women) were analysed using sociodemographic variables as well as measures of psychopathology (SCL-90-R, EDI-2) and interpersonal difficulties (IIP-C). Patients were treated in a multimodal treatment setting, combining cognitive-behavioural and psychodynamic components.
Results:
Patients, who reported fewer symptoms, were hospitalized before and had a comorbid depression stayed more often in psychotherapy. Patients dropping out of treatment (31.6%) showed a trend to higher levels of maturity fears. Subtype, age, duration of illness, comorbid personality disorders or previous drop outs were not predictive of dropping out.
Conclusion:
Addressing the high ambivalence and maturity fears of anorexic patients should be an essential issue in psychotherapy with this patient group.
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