International Journal of Emergency Mental Health and Human Resilience
Open Access

Research Article

Affect-Group Intervention for Alexithymia in Eating Disorders

Suzanna Lundblad^1,2*, Berit Hansson¹, Trevor Archer²

¹Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Affektive II Anorexia & Bulimia Clinic for Adults, 416 66 Gothenburg, Sweden.

²University of Gothenburg, Department of Psychology, Gothenburg, Sweden.

*Corresponding Author:

Suzanna Lundblad
E-mail: suzanna.lundblad@vgregion.se

The purpose of this study is to describe a treatment intervention to alleviate eating disturbance and alexithymia symptoms in thirty patients diagnosed with anorexia nervosa and/or bulimia nervosa. The method consists of teaching and coaching about the emotional/affective status of individuals and incorporates both written and oral sessions. The treatment is presented within groups on one occasion (90 min) each week over eight-week periods. The results indicated that the intervention treatment reduced significantly the extent of alexithymia, as measured using the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, expressed by the patients. This implies that the teaching-coaching episodes affected their ability to cope with feelings thereby expressing improved insights concerning self-awareness and an understanding of themselves and others.

Keywords