Body image and anorexia nervosa. The use of confrontation via video in psychomotor therapy

: The body image of the patient suffering from anorexia nervosa is not only an important diagnostic criterion, but also an important aspect of therapy. In the patient unit of the university clinic for psychiatry at Kortenberg (K.U. Leuven), which specialises in the treatment of anorexia nervosa, a great deal of attention is given to body-image through the video confrontation technique. Video recordings are made of each patient on her arrival and departure. The recordings are shown to the patient and her group and discussed afterwards. It is expected that such confrontations will improve the attitude of the patient towards her own body. In order to evaluate these possible changes, the therapist fills out questionnaires at the start and the end of the program. The results of this method are analysed in this article.