A Case of an In-patient with an Eating Disorder Who Went Through a Group-Collage-Therapy

Abstract

A case study of an in-patient with an eating disorder who was able to express herself freely after taking part ina-group-collage-therapy at our hospital. We conducted agroup-collage-therapy once a week for an hour focusing on patients with eating disorders. The patient was a 26-year-old woman. At the time she entered the hospital her weight was 33.4kg. After examining the patient we decided to use cognitive behavioral therapy in a restrictive setting and medical therapy for her treatment. When the patient's weight increased to 36kg she was able to participate in the group-collage-therapy. After a month and a half in the hospital: The theme of the collage she decided on was "What I want to do". She pasted pictures on the paper, some of them running off the edges. After 3 months: She expressed in her collage, what she wanted to eat. After 4 months: She made a collage of people's eyes and faces as her theme. This was the first time she had adopted the styles of other patients' collages into her own and used the collage as a way of interacting with other patients. After 5 months: Her collage work became more realistic. Conclusion Through group-collage-therapy, the patient was able to express herself freely. It was possible for her to control her desire and see herself objectively through her collage work. It also helped her to interact with other patients of the group. From these results, it is thought or believed that group-collage-therapy could be effective when treating in-patients with eating disorders over a period of time and will result in improved interaction with other patients of the group.