issn 1652-4063
isbn 978-91-7668-900-4 Örebro Studies in Medicine 76örebro 2012
Doctoral Dissertation
Anorexia nervosa –
treatment expectations, outcome and satisfaction
Gunilla Paulson Karlsson Medical Science with focus on Medicine
2012
Gunilla P
aulson Karlsson
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ÖREBRO STUDIES IN mEDIcINE 76Gunilla Paulson Karlsson, BSSW, is an authorised
psychotherapist at the Specialist eating-disorder unit in Göteborg, where she focuses on clinical work with eating disorder patients and parents, development work and research. She became a doctoral student at the Psychiatric Research Centre (PFC), Academy of Health and Medical Sciences, Örebro University, in 2006, and her research involves anorexia nervosa treatment. The studies in this thesis focus on anorexia nervosa and explore adolescent and adult patients’ comprehension and the course of treatment in order to make a contribution to the clinical work relating to these patients. Results demonstrate that young adult patients’ expectations before treatment are multifaceted and that issues relating to patients’ motivation, self-image, body image and social relationships are important for weight increase. Anorexia nervosa treatment for adolescents and their parents should be family-based and include family sessions as well as individual sessions for patients and parents. Prevention programmes with the emphasis on early detection should be a prioritised area.
