Psychomotor therapy and aggression regulation in eating disorders

Eating disorder behaviours can be seen as self-destructive behaviours to a great extent related to inhibited anger expression. However, a treatment protocol targeted at anger and aggression in these disorders is lacking. This paper describes a psychomotor therapy (PMT) model as a body-oriented method to help patients with eating disorders to cope with anger and aggression. They learn to see aggression as a positive, relational, body-felt experience, and to control anger expression at the right time with appropriate intensity. Our clinical experience indicates that PMT can accelerate the overall treatment process by triggering hidden feelings and thoughts and by developing expression skills. This article discusses PMT principles of aggression regulation and the methodological procedures of the intervention. Randomised controlled research is needed to validate clinical experiences.