You raise a very interesting point. Unfortunately, relapse after discharge from inpatient programs seems common. There's more to family-based treatment than refeeding. I think a lot of attention is given to the first phase of Maudsley treatment, perhaps because parental control of nutrition contrasts with other treatments for anorexia nervosa. But weight restoration is only the first of three stages of treatment, and even in the early part of treatment there are psychological factors at play (parents present a united front, there is a non-critical stance toward the ill child, the illness is externalized.) The final two stages of treatment revolve around re-establishing independent eating and getting back on track with healthy adolescent development. Lock and le Grange's Treatment Manual for Anorexia Nervosa and Help Your Teenager Beat an Eating Disorder are the best resources for people who'd like to learn more about family-based treatment, but this article offers a brief overview. http://maudsleyparents.org/whatismaudsley.html
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Hi Richelle,
You raise a very interesting point. Unfortunately, relapse after discharge from inpatient programs seems common. There's more to family-based treatment than refeeding. I think a lot of attention is given to the first phase of Maudsley treatment, perhaps because parental control of nutrition contrasts with other treatments for anorexia nervosa. But weight restoration is only the first of three stages of treatment, and even in the early part of treatment there are psychological factors at play (parents present a united front, there is a non-critical stance toward the ill child, the illness is externalized.) The final two stages of treatment revolve around re-establishing independent eating and getting back on track with healthy adolescent development. Lock and le Grange's Treatment Manual for Anorexia Nervosa and Help Your Teenager Beat an Eating Disorder are the best resources for people who'd like to learn more about family-based treatment, but this article offers a brief overview. http://maudsleyparents.org/whatismaudsley.html
Jane Cawley
June 9, 2009 - 4:55pmhttp://maudsleyparents.org/
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