The Effectiveness of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy on Anxiety Sensivity and Body Image in Female Bulimia Nervosa Patients

Bulimia is a well- known and major eating disorder. While different factors can lead to this disorder the anxiety sensitivity and body image are two of them. The present study aimed to examine the effectiveness of a Dialectical Behavioral Therapy on anxiety sensitivity and body image in female participants with bulimia nervosa. We used a semi-experimental (pre-test, post-test with nonequivalent Control group) research design. The statistical population of the study consisted of 24 high school females with Bulimia nervosa who were chosen through purposive sampling in Neishabor. To collect the information Fisher Body Image Scale (FBIS) and Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI-R) were administered. After pre-test the Dialectical Behavioral Therapy protocol was performed in 12 sessions. For data analysis the Multivariate Analysis of Covariance was applied. The results revealed that DBT could make a difference in the anxiety sensitivity and body image measures in female students with bulimia nervosa at a post-test stage between two groups. The dialectical behavioral therapy can be helpful to improve the anxiety sensitivity and body image in females with bulimia nervosa and is recommended for them  to clinicians.