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A Case of Strategic Couples Therapy in Adult Anorexia Nervosa: The Importance of Symptoms in Context

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Abstract

In the context of the poor rates of treatment outcome in adult presentations of anorexia nervosa (AN), the need for new or augmentative treatment interventions is increasingly apparent. Recent developments have advocated for the age-appropriate involvement of family members in the treatment of adults with AN, given the efficacy of family-based interventions in adolescent populations. This manuscript presents the case of a 35-year old male with sever and enduring AN, whose symptoms were not responsive to individual treatment although did subside upon the introduction of an augmentative course of strategic couples therapy. This case may therefore contribute to the development of novel treatment interventions in adult presentations of AN when standard treatment alone fails to bring about symptom resolution.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Redleaf Practice, 5 Redleaf Ave, Wahroonga, Sydney, NSW, 2076, Australia

    Stuart B. Murray

  2. School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Stuart B. Murray

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  1. Stuart B. Murray
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Correspondence to Stuart B. Murray.

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Murray, S.B. A Case of Strategic Couples Therapy in Adult Anorexia Nervosa: The Importance of Symptoms in Context. Contemp Fam Ther 36, 392–397 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10591-014-9301-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10591-014-9301-y

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