Irene, a case study of a bulimia nervosa patient: the therapeutic process of integrative painting therapy.

The bulimic symptomatology--supposedly an expression of certain developments in our society--increased immensely. The progress of Integrative Painting Therapy applied to a bulimia nervosa patient, is simultaneously visible and documented. This gives insight into the psychodynamics and psychopathology of this disorder, as well as its development during treatment. The painting group provides a quick access to the patient's emotions and it permits the establishment of a strong therapeutic relationship. Paintings generated within the group reflect a patient's inner experiences and provide a starting-point for the therapeutic process. In her pictures, Irene confronts her bulimia disorder and is finally able to come to terms with her social role as a woman, her growing up and her longing for a healthy family background especially meaning contact with her father. In this spirally evolving process, where painting groups, single and family therapy work together, she was finally able to break free from her bulimic symptoms and find a new access to herself and her family, especially her father.