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Case Study: Phoebe
Name
Institution
Date
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Case Study: Phoebe
Introduction
Phoebe, a senior year undergraduate in college was a well-rounded high school
student and is seeking proper treatment for her fears of getting fat and ugly. Her beliefs have
affected her wellbeing and lifestyle causing her to develop extreme Bulimia Nervosa. The
most appropriate treatment plan for Phoebe is cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Rationale
Phoebe a senior student in college started experiencing symptoms related to binging
and purging even before starting her sophomore year at college. She was an active, popular,
talented, and intelligent student in high school; however, she was experiencing a lot of
personal struggles. At age 11 she started regulating her eating behavior thinking that she
would get fat and ugly (Durand et al., 2018). The behavior developed throughout high school
where she restricted her meals and occasionally binge and junk food. The behavior advanced
through her college life where she took meals and frequently vomited (Durand et al., 2018).
Although the method made her feel less anxious and relieved, she felt physically exhausted
making her friends, teachers, and family suspicious about her eating behavior (Durand et al.,
2018). The above symptoms indicate Phoebe is suffering from severe Bulimia Nervosa.
Primary Target Behavior
1. Bingeing and purging.
2. Loneliness and binging on junk food
3. Lack of control of overeating and forcing to vomit.
4. Anxiety, tension, depression, and guilt.
5. Secrecy.
Proposed Etiology
There are many factors which may have contributed to Phoebe’s development of
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the Bulimia Nervosa Eating Disorder. Some of the temperamental factors include her
belief in weight concerns, depressive symptoms, low self-esteem, childhood overanxious
disorder, and social anxiety disorder (Durand et al., 2018). Environmental factors
increased her risk of developing weight concerns, which further increased her risk of
developing bulimia nervosa (Durand et al., 2018). There were no present genetic and
physiological factors that would trigger bulimia nervosa symptoms according to the
patient’s case.
Treatment Plan
There are several treatments plans which Phoebe can consider to recover from the
Bulimia Nervosa disorder.
1. CBT
CBT is the most effective treatment plan for patients with bulimia nervosa, in this
case, Phoebe. The therapy will help Phoebe identify and change negative behaviors
towards eating and further find better ways to cope with life stresses (Durand et al.,
2018).
2. Nutritional counseling
Nutritional counselling will help her to break the cycle of occasional bingeing and
compensation. After proper counselling, she will learn to plan her meal intake to the
correct amount required to maintain her weight. This therapy should be done
simultaneously with CBT to help her engage in healthier eating and exercise behaviors
(Hofmann et al., 2019).
3. SSRI’s medication
SSRIs are medications for patients who suffer from bulimia nervosa (Stefan et al.,
2020). Such medications will help her reduce the binge eating and purging frequencies,
and reduce anxiety.
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Reference
Durand, V. M., Barlow, D. H., Ning, Z., & yi, S. Yue. (2018). Yi Chang Xin Li Xue =
essentials of abnormal psychology. Zhong guo ren min da xue chu ban she.
Hofmann, S. G., Barlow, D. H., & Durand, V. M. (2019). Essentials of abnormal psychology.
Cengage.
Stefan, B. D. H. (2020). Essentials of abnormal psychology. WADSWORTH.
