title: Body image treatment within an inpatient program for anorexia nervosa: the role of mirror exposure in the desensitization process.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This pilot study examined the role of mirror confrontation in the desensitization process of a body image treatment within an inpatient program for anorexia nervosa.
  
  
  METHODS
  A within-subjects design was used. It compared the impact of two modes of group body image treatment on body dissatisfaction, anxiety, and avoidance behaviors. Both treatments followed a set format of exposure exercises and homework, but the modified treatment also included mirror confrontation as an exposure exercise.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Standard treatment did not produce any significant changes. Modified treatment produced a significant and sustained improvement in body dissatisfaction and a significant reduction in body anxiety and avoidance behaviors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mirror confrontation is a more effective form of exposure because of the strong emotional response it elicits. Patients' pronounced emotional response to this exercise allowed easier identification of the affective and behavioral components of body dissatisfaction and more cogent links into a developmental body image timeline.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Psychiatry, St. George's Hospital Medical School, University of London, London, United Kingdom. akey@sghms.ac.uk
authors.forename: Adrienne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Key
authors.forename: C Louise
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: George
authors.forename: Desley
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Beattie
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Stammers
authors.forename: Hubert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lacey
authors.forename: Glenn
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Waller
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D001828:Body Image; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003887:Desensitization, Psychologic / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric