Eating Disorders With and Without Childhood Trauma

The overall aim of the current project is; (1) To build knowledge on how to best treat patients with ED with and without childhood trauma, (2) To develop our understanding about how change happens for these patients. The investigators will do this by compare two treatment models; (1) Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) and (2) Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), for EDs both treatment types delivered at Modum Bad Psychiatric Center, department of ED.

Patients included in this randomized controlled trial will receive treatment at Modum Bad, satisfy DSM-V criteria for ED and half of the patients will in addition have a history of childhood trauma. A total of 86 patients who have received either CFT or CBT are followed up two year after completion of the treatment. The study utilises a rich data set collected outcome measures at altogether 5 time points and process and sub-outcome measures at 13 time points. The investigators will take advantage of our established collaborative networks, both nationally and internationally and existing procedures, where all patients are assessed with the same clinical instruments based on current state-of-the-art methods.

Inclusion criteria

• satisfying DSM-V criteria for ED and for half of the patients in addition
• have a history of childhood trauma.

Exclusion criteria

• current suicidal risk
• current psychosis
• ongoing trauma (e.g. current involvement in an abusive relationship).