Question

in behavior modification therapy, which component is the most important for clients with anorexia nervosa?rewarding positive behaviorreducing necessary restrictionsdeconditioning fear of weight gainreducing anxiety-producing situations

Answer 1

The most important component of behavior modification therapy for anorexia nervosa is deconditioning the fear of weight gain, which directly addresses the core cognitive distortions of the disorder.

Step-by-step explanation:

In behavior modification therapy for clients with anorexia nervosa, deconditioning fear of weight gain is arguably the most important component. This involves addressing and reducing the irrational fear that individuals with anorexia nervosa have towards gaining weight. Because anorexia nervosa is characterized by an obsessive fear of gaining weight and a significant distortion in the perception of one's own body weight, combatting these cognitive distortions is crucial for recovery. Through behavioral interventions, clients learn to challenge and change their fear-related thoughts, which in turn can influence their eating behaviors more effectively than simple reward systems or reducing environmental triggers alone. These interventions additionally focus on relapse prevention to help maintain healthier behaviors in the long term.