ABSTRACT

139Sufferers from anorexia nervosa have confused views about their bodies. For example, if you comment on the weight gain and improved appearance of someone with anorexia nervosa, you may be shocked at the response. You may think you are doing the right thing by providing reassurance that they are looking ‘well’, but such a remark is more likely to alarm them by triggering intense eating disorder thoughts. Such thoughts will remind the sufferer that, contrary to what you say, they look awful, that they are fat and greedy for eating so much food. In a bid to ease these acute feelings of guilt, they are likely to vow to exercise more than usual or to not eat for the rest of the day.