Schematic Models and Modes of Mind in Anorexia Nervosa I: A Novel Process Account

A deeper understanding of the cognitive-affective mechanisms maintaining anorexia nervosa (AN) is required to develop more effective interventions. Clinical challenges posed by AN are reviewed and a novel model of AN is offered to account for these phenomena, framed within an established cognitive a...

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Main Authors: Park, R, Dunn, B, Barnard, P
Format: Journal article
Language:English
Published: 2011
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author Park, R
Dunn, B
Barnard, P
author_facet Park, R
Dunn, B
Barnard, P
author_sort Park, R
collection OXFORD
description A deeper understanding of the cognitive-affective mechanisms maintaining anorexia nervosa (AN) is required to develop more effective interventions. Clinical challenges posed by AN are reviewed and a novel model of AN is offered to account for these phenomena, framed within an established cognitive architecture (Interacting Cognitive Subsystems). It is proposed that AN is maintained by oscillations between two extreme yet mutually reinforcing states of mind. In "doing" mode there is a focus on specific conceptual meanings about the control of eating, shape, and weight, with a neglect of broader emotional meaning and bodily states associated with starvation. When control cannot be maintained, individuals move into "mindless bodily emoting" mode. Here attention flips between aversive bodily sensations and emotional beliefs, resulting in feeling out of control, afraid, and selfdisgusted. Novel implications for course, recovery, and treatment of AN following directly from this theoretical analysis are discussed in a separate sequel paper. © 2011 International Association for Cognitive Psychotherapy.
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spelling oxford-uuid:17ee7c42-1581-4f20-a59a-28c6d1e01be32022-03-26T10:40:22ZSchematic Models and Modes of Mind in Anorexia Nervosa I: A Novel Process AccountJournal articlehttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_dcae04bcuuid:17ee7c42-1581-4f20-a59a-28c6d1e01be3EnglishSymplectic Elements at Oxford2011Park, RDunn, BBarnard, PA deeper understanding of the cognitive-affective mechanisms maintaining anorexia nervosa (AN) is required to develop more effective interventions. Clinical challenges posed by AN are reviewed and a novel model of AN is offered to account for these phenomena, framed within an established cognitive architecture (Interacting Cognitive Subsystems). It is proposed that AN is maintained by oscillations between two extreme yet mutually reinforcing states of mind. In "doing" mode there is a focus on specific conceptual meanings about the control of eating, shape, and weight, with a neglect of broader emotional meaning and bodily states associated with starvation. When control cannot be maintained, individuals move into "mindless bodily emoting" mode. Here attention flips between aversive bodily sensations and emotional beliefs, resulting in feeling out of control, afraid, and selfdisgusted. Novel implications for course, recovery, and treatment of AN following directly from this theoretical analysis are discussed in a separate sequel paper. © 2011 International Association for Cognitive Psychotherapy.
spellingShingle Park, R
Dunn, B
Barnard, P
Schematic Models and Modes of Mind in Anorexia Nervosa I: A Novel Process Account
title Schematic Models and Modes of Mind in Anorexia Nervosa I: A Novel Process Account
title_full Schematic Models and Modes of Mind in Anorexia Nervosa I: A Novel Process Account
title_fullStr Schematic Models and Modes of Mind in Anorexia Nervosa I: A Novel Process Account
title_full_unstemmed Schematic Models and Modes of Mind in Anorexia Nervosa I: A Novel Process Account
title_short Schematic Models and Modes of Mind in Anorexia Nervosa I: A Novel Process Account
title_sort schematic models and modes of mind in anorexia nervosa i a novel process account
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