Dialectical Behavior Therapy and eating behavior

Abstract

Although Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Interpersonal Therapy have been shown to be effective in eating disorders in reducing shape or weight concerns and dietary restraint, research suggests that clients either do not fully recover or continue to experience emotional difficulties. In order to improve the approach to these disorders, a third generation therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), has been proposed in recent years, whose main focus is the treatment of emotional dysregulation. The aim of this paper is to carry out a literature review on the application of DBT in eating disorders. To achieve this, a narrative review of the last 20 years is carried out in order to analyse empirical studies using DBT in eating disorders. Meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 12 studies were identified. Since the aim was to test studies that included a control group and a comparison group with another therapy, the results obtained give an accurate picture of the empirical evidence in this field. The vast majority of results obtained are directed towards the application of DBT in Binge Eating Disorder (8), to a lesser extent in Bulimia Nervosa (2), Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorder (1) or Comorbidity of Eating Disorders and Borderline Personality Disorder (1). On the other hand, no studies have been conducted in anorexia nervosa that adhere to the criteria used. The results of this review indicate that DBT is an effective treatment for Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorder. However, the hypothesis that improved emotional regulation is responsible for symptom reduction is not confirmed. The clinical implications derived from this literature review are that DBT may be a treatment that could benefit those with bulimia nervosa or binge eating disorder in whom treatment as usual has not been successful.