Compassion Focused Therapy for People with Eating Disorders – a pilot study

Compassion Focused Therapy är en integrativ transdiagnostisk behandlingsform som syftar till att öka self-compassion och minska skam och självkritik hos individer med psykisk ohälsa. Skam och självkritik har i hög grad identifierats hos personer med ätstörningar, som också ofta anses svårbehandlade. Denna studie syftade till att undersöka huruvida CFT kan vara ett behandlingsalternativ vid ätstörningar. En single-subject design med upprepade mätningar användes (n=5). Studien visade på tvetydiga resultat men indikerar att en del individer kan vara hjälpta av denna behandling. Fortsatt forskning är således motiveradCompassion Focused Therapy (CFT) is an integrative transdiagnostic treatment aiming at increasing self-compassion, and reducing levels of shame and self-criticism in individuals with psychiatric illness. High levels of shame and self-criticism have been identified in people suffering from eating disorders, disorders who are usually considered difficult to treat. The aim of the present study was to investigate if CFT could be considered a treatment option for eating disorders. A single-subject design with repeated measures was used (n=5). The results were ambiguous, though indicating that CFT could be helpful for some individuals with eating disorders. Further research is warranted.