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Psychological inflexibility and symptom expression in anorexia nervosa

APA Citation

Merwin, R. M., Timko, C. A., Moskovich, A. A., Ingle, K. K., Bulik, C. M., & Zucker, N. L. (2010). Psychological inflexibility and symptom expression in anorexia nervosa. Eating Disorders, 19(1), 62-82.

Publication Topic
ACT: Conceptual
ACT: Empirical
Behavior Analysis: Conceptual
Behavior Analysis: Empirical
Publication Type
Article
Language
English
Keyword(s)
eating disorders, anorexia nervosa, psychological inflexibility
Abstract

The purpose of this article is to outline a model of anorexia nervosa (AN) as a disorder of psychological inflexibility, motivated by an insatiable desire for prediction and control with related intolerance for uncertainty. We describe preliminary data that provide initial support for this conceptualization and point to the ways in which mindfulness and acceptance-based strategies might be particularly useful for treating AN. This article is not intended to be an exhaustive literature review, rather a conceptual framework to guide future research and treatment development.