The Importance of Emotional Insight in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Anorexia Nervosa: An Adolescent Case Study

Anorexia nervosa is a rare but severe psychiatric disorder in adolescence, with chronicity and death being the most feared consequences. Emotional Insight into one's problem is considered a key determinant of success in therapy. The following case study of a 14year-old client, describes the process of therapy as it unfolded across 45 sessions. An eclectic therapeutic approach comprising cognitive behavioural therapy along with some psychodynamic principles and supportive techniques was adapted. A lack of emotional insight was hypothesized as the missing link between an intellectual understanding of her illness and recovery from it. Process, outcome, and active therapeutic ingredients in individual therapy are described.