On motivation as a Target for Intervention in Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is a serious psychiatric illness associated with high chronicity and mortality. One of the main issues preventing recovery is the ambivalent nature of the disorder. Increased motivation for change is an important prognostic factor, and opposite, lack of motivation is hindering recovery and may be part of explaining the poor prognosis. Thereby, understanding motivation in Eating disorders (ED) and factors influencing it is an important task for research. Thus far, studies investigating the effects of Motivational Interviewing and Motivational Enhancement Therapy, which are techniques to promote behavioral change in AN, are scarse and most often finding no effect in AN, as well as in other EDs. The psychopathology of AN may partly explain resistance to change, and comorbidity may further enhance this. This review presents some factors that may influence motivation for change in AN.

Keywords: Anorexia nervosa; Eating disorders; Motivation; Behavioral change

Abbreviations:AN: Anorexia Nervosa; ED: Eating Disorders; MI: Motivational Interviewing; MET: Motivational Enhancement Therapy