Why involve families?
The good news is that not only are parents not to blame for their sons and daughter's eating disorders, but parents and families can play essential roles alongside the treatment team getting the patient well and on to their lives.
After generations of being left out of the room, parents around the world are seeking out care that includes them, values their contribution, hears their input, and supports their struggle to help their loved one fully recover and stay recovered.
But this is not just a nice idea. Research strongly supports family involvement:
After generations of being left out of the room, parents around the world are seeking out care that includes them, values their contribution, hears their input, and supports their struggle to help their loved one fully recover and stay recovered.
But this is not just a nice idea. Research strongly supports family involvement:
Randomized Clinical Trial of Parent-Focused Treatment and Family-Based Treatment for Adolescent Anorexia Nervosa JAMA 2016
Comparison of 2 family therapies for adolescent anorexia nervosa: a randomized parallel trial JAMA Psychiatry 2014
Randomized clinical trial comparing family-based treatment with adolescent-focused individual therapy for adolescents with anorexia nervosa. Archives of General Psychiatry 2010
A randomized controlled comparison of family-based treatment and supportive psychotherapy for adolescent bulimia nervosa JAMA Psychiatry 2007
Family interventions in adolescent anorexia nervosa Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry 2009
Comparison of 2 family therapies for adolescent anorexia nervosa: a randomized parallel trial JAMA Psychiatry 2014
Randomized clinical trial comparing family-based treatment with adolescent-focused individual therapy for adolescents with anorexia nervosa. Archives of General Psychiatry 2010
A randomized controlled comparison of family-based treatment and supportive psychotherapy for adolescent bulimia nervosa JAMA Psychiatry 2007
Family interventions in adolescent anorexia nervosa Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry 2009
How to involve families:
- Outpatient Family-Based Treatment, also known as "The Maudsley Approach"
- Parent education modules like "The New Maudsley Approach" that help parents of adult patients cope and support
- Intensive Family Treatment UCSD model
- Kartini model of family-centered care
- Inpatient care that welcomes parents during meals, throughout day, and overnight
- Family Week and other moderated short-stay education and peer support events
- Educating families through publishing and online resources
- Training all staff, including nursing and billing and maintenance, on the principles of family treatment
