ABSTRACT
This case study of a 17-year old female patient vividly illustrates the use of psychodynamic self psychology in the treatment of anorexia nervosa (AN). In particular, it discusses the theme of selflessness apparent in the patient's relationships, and the sense she has no right to exist or to live for herself. Within an overall empathic and understanding therapeutic environment, the patient's disappointment and anger with minor failures of the therapist enabled transmuting internalizations, which were reflected in the patient's growing ability to successfully interpret her own feelings. In a later stage of the therapy, the patient's strengthened self allowed more Oedipal contents to come up to the surface. In an incidental meeting at the university 10 years later, the patient reported that the full remission which was achieved after two years of therapy was sustained over the 8 years following its termination.
