Operant Conditioning in the Treatment of Anorexia Nervosa: A Review and Retrospective Study of 11 Cases

Abstract

Anorexia nervosa is a disorder characterized by loss of appetite, amenorrhoea, and weight loss in the absence of any primary psychiatric or physical illness (Dally and Sargant, 1966). Features which have recently been stated to be of value in distinguishing it from anorexia due to other causes are: denial of illness, bradycardia and lanugo hair (Wright et al., 1969). The weight losses in this condition are usually at least 20 per cent of ideal body weight, depending on the quality and promptness of treatment.