Abstract

GAZIGNATO, Elaine Cristina da Silva et al. Eating disorders and group. Rev. SPAGESP [online]. 2008, vol.9, n.1, pp. 24-32. ISSN 1677-2970.

This paper presents a literature review on eating disorders (TA, in Portuguese), examining the effectiveness of group strategies in the treatment of nervous anorexia (AN, in Portuguese) and nervous bulimia (BN, in Portuguese). Previous studies demonstrated that group therapy offers patients a supporting context for the treatment of disturbs caused by eating disorders, such as anguish, self-doubt, life changes with family and social impact, and even resistance to treatments, for instance, psychotherapy, medication, consultation routines, exams, procedures, medical technology and psychosocial interventions. Therapeutic groups offer patients a safe haven for emotional expression and intense experience exchange, as it favors the collective production of meanings that can be channeled into solving group members’ common problems. This paper identifies the factors in therapeutic groups that enhance these groups’ potential transformative role. Identifying groups’ mechanisms conducive to change, self-revelation, and support, helps patients themselves to better understand their TA.

Keywords : Anorexia; Bulimia; Eating disorders; Group.

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