THE CLINICAL AND THEORETICAL IMPACT OF A CONTROLLED TRIAL OF FAMILY THERAPY IN ANOREXIA NERVOSA

The paper discusses the practical and theoretical implications of the results of a controlled treatment trial. Family therapy was compared with individual, supportive psychotherapy for the management of severe eating disorder. Family therapy was markedly more effective in achieving improvement in one of four subgroups of patients: (a): those with early onset, short duration; (b) early onset, duration more than 3 years; (c) late onset, after the age of 18 years; (d) those with bulimia nervosa. The therapies used are described, as are the changes in clinical practice arising from the study. Theoretical considerations concerning notions of family structure, the family life‐cycle and symptomatic and family change are also discussed.