Behavioral Management for Anorexia Nervosa

A 23-year-old woman with anorexia nervosa visits her internist to discuss possible admission to an inpatient behavioral-treatment program. Behavioral therapy for anorexia nervosa includes direct supervision of eating, establishment of weight-gain goals, and implementation of contingencies if goals are not achieved. The most important adverse effect of such programs is the risk of the refeeding syndrome, a rare but potentially life-threatening metabolic disorder.