Abstract
M.A. (Clinical Psychology)
The relatively rapid development of cognitive-behavioural approaches to various psychological conditions, has prompted clinicians and researchers to investigate the effects of this therapeutic modality on Bulimia Nervosa sufferers more closely.
Research has evidenced the complexity and uniqueness of this disorder and much speculation still remains with regard to the etiology, description and treatment of Bulimia. Of the various treatments proposed, the cognitive~behavioural approaches have appeared to be most effective. Latest developments in this modality emphasize cognitive factors like content-specific cognitions and Early maladaptive schemas. These factors are important for psychotherapeutic purposes. The hypothesis formulated for this study, stated broadly that cognitive-behavioural approaches would result in equal treatment efficacy, whether process(schema) or content based interventions. This was investigated in the context of a pilot clinical trial with four selected subjects. Apart from measures for depression and cognitive processes
associated with eating and self image in Bulimia, a depth-of processing task and a schema questionnaire were used in investigating the hypothesis. These measures, in addition to the CB interventions were applied to a small group of carefully selected Bulimics ,diagnosed acccording to the DSM III-R. The findings supported the basic hypothesis of the study, and demonstrated that cognitive-behavioural approaches of either content or process types are equally efficacious in the treatment of Bulimia Nervosa.