Abstract

The therapeutic elements of an inpatient treatment for anorexia nervosa are presented with the therapy results as well as a 2-year follow-up of 39 patients who were treated at Hamburg University Hospital from 1980 to 1983. The favorable results (high weight gain, short duration of therapy, distinct psychological improvement with a total of 53% of virtually cured patients at the end of therapy) declined partially during the 2-year follow-up period (51% virtually cured). The results are compared with those of an earlier concept which was focussed rather on strict regimen and medical treatment, which also resulted in 53% virtually cured patients (n = 218; follow-up period 9.6 years). We will discuss the question whether the methodology presented here can be an alternative to family therapy for somatically severe cases with structural (psychic) lability, lack of patient motivation and uncooperative families.