Effect of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy on Deviant Eating Attitudes and Mental Health of Adolescents: A Case Report.

Background: Eating attitude can be defined as beliefs, thoughts, feelings, behaviour and relationship with food. It can impact a person's food choices and health status. A deviant eating attitude is a maladaptive pattern of thoughts and behaviours related to food consumption, which can include periods of inconsistent eating, ranging from overeating to undereating, dietary restriction, emotional eating and preoccupation with food and body weight. These concerns may be visible in the form of emotional dysregulation, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and interpersonal difficulties. The deviant eating attitude can lead to psychological distress, as individuals may use restrictive eating patterns to cope with overwhelming emotions and life stresses, further deteriorating their overall mental health. Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) plays a key role in addressing this vicious cycle by targeting the core emotional and behavioural patterns which maintain disturbed eating disorder. DBT reduces the shame and self-stigma that affect the eating cycle and fosters genuine engagement with the therapeutic process. Through DBT, an individual can learn about mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation and interpersonal effectiveness. It facilitates individuals to recognise and manage uncomfortable emotions without resorting to dysfunctional eating patterns. Purpose: The study aimed to explore the therapeutic effect of DBT on deviant eating attitude, along with mental health in adolescents. Methods: A single case report method was used in the current study. The tools used in the study were case history, Mental Status Examination, Eating Attitudes Test-26, developed by David M. Garner, and Mental Health Inventory, developed by A. K. Srivastava. A total number of 14 sessions of DBT were given, and the pre- and post-therapy assessments were conducted. A case of a 15-year-old female presented with the chief complaints of concerns with her weight and physical looks, high consumption of junk food, disturbed sleep routine, disturbed interpersonal relationship, anger outburst, low self-esteem, irritability and reduced academic performance since the last 2 years, which increased significantly in the last 6 months. Results: The pre- and post-assessments were conducted, and they indicated relief in the symptoms reported by the client. She reported improved focus and increased motivation for academic goals. She also reported improved social relationships with improved mood and regulated sleep than before. She reported a reduction in the consumption of junk food. Her interpersonal skills improved significantly, allowing her to express her thoughts and feelings more effectively. Conclusion: Findings support DBT as an effective mode of intervention that targets deviant eating attitudes and improves mental health by strengthening emotion regulation, increasing distress tolerance, and improves interpersonal skills.