Maria Garcia Anaya

National Institute of Psychiatry, Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz, Mexico

Title: Addressing the reflective function of mothers and fathers of patients with AN. An intervention to prevent chronicity

Abstract

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is an eating disorder that predominantly affects women. In developed countries, a female to male ratio of between 10-20:1 has been reported. Even though we currently have effective treatments, a significant number of women with AN progress to chronicity and, unfortunately, treatment strategies for this stage of the disorder are not yet well established. At the Eating Behavior Disorders Clinic of the National Institute of Psychiatry in Mexico City, an intervention has been developed that has proven to be effective for those cases that have had a poor response to standard treatments. This intervention is focused exclusively on the psychotherapeutic work with the mothers and fathers of patients with AN and aims to develop and strengthen the reflective function of the participants, since this is the central element in the recognition of those behaviors and relational dynamics that promote the maintenance of AN. We have observed that this intervention can improve and strengthen the reflective function of the participants and, consequently, generates clinical improvement in patients with AN We have been able to observe that addressing the reflexive function of the fathers and mothers of patients with AN who have not responded adequately to standard treatments, offers a concrete and effective intervention to achieve clinical improvement in their daughters and prevent them from progressing to chronicity. We believe that working with the reflective function is a key therapeutic element, and constitutes an advanced practice for the healthcare and well-being of women with AN.

Biography

María García Anaya completed a PhD in Psychology from the National Autonomous University of Mexico, and a postdoc fellowship at the NIDA. She has been clinical researcher at the National Institute of Psychiatry since year 2000. Her line of research has focused on the study of non-pharmacological treatment alternatives for mental disorders. Among those alternatives there are: a) Study of the effects of repetitive Transcraneal Magnetic Stimulation for affective disorders and borderline personality disorder; b) Administration of third generation therapies for borderline personality disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and addictive disorders; c) Use of integrative family therapy to treat eating disorders. She is currently dedicated to the development of a treatment manual for the application of this intervention for mothers and fathers of patients with AN, with the aim of preventing the chronification of the disorder.

4th International Conference on Nursing and Women's Healthcare

Maria Garcia Anaya

Title: Addressing the reflective function of mothers and fathers of patients with AN. An intervention to prevent chronicity

Abstract

Biography

Organization Location

Mail us at

Our Social Presence

Call us at