Abstract

ABREU, Cristiano Nabuco de  and  FILHO, Raphael Cangelli. Cognitive-constructivist approach in psychotherapy for the treatment of anorexia nervosa an bulimia nervosa. Rev. bras.ter. cogn. [online]. 2005, vol.1, n.1, pp. 45-58. ISSN 1808-5687.

Of the eating disorders, Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa are the ones that have made adolescent (mainly female) patients seek help. This help comes through the treatment provided by a multidisciplinary team consisting of psychologists, psychiatrists, and nutritionists. Cognitive-constructivist psychotherapy is being used in a pilot project at AMBULIM, and has shown to be a powerful component of the improvement seen in this population. Thus, this article has the goal of discussing: (a) the main characteristics and diagnosis criteria of Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa; (b) some principles involving the theoretical-practical bases of the cognitive-constructivist approaches; (c) the most commonly seen psychological characteristics of patients with Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa, as well as their respective service programs (protocols) developed by the author; and (d) the general conclusions from the clinical practice and some additional considerations.

Keywords : Cognitive-constructivist; Anorexia; Bulimia.