Group Therapy
An essential element of treatment to anorexia is making the client understand that he/she has a seriously dangerous mental disorder and that they need professional help.
Family Therapy
When a patient goes through family therapy, they see how “the often-times dysfunctional role they play within the family, and how their eating behaviors maintain that role” (Grohol).
Family therapy usually consists the person diagnosed with anorexia along with his or her family. But, on some occasions, family therapy sessions are done without the individual in order to help the family understand “the roles they are playing in supporting the disordered eating,” as well the ways in which they can get the person suffering from anorexia to understand they have a problem and to seek the help necessary for it (Grohol). Family therapy helps to deepen the understanding of anorexia and the ways in which they can become involved for the better of the individual.
The “Maudlsey Method” is the name specifically given to the type of family therapy where the parents take on the responsibility of feeding their anorexic daughter or son, helping them to gain weight and getting rid of their bad eating habits.
The Jennifer Couturier et al. 2012 study researched the effectiveness that family therapy has on individuals from 12 to 17 years old who were diagnosed with anorexia. The participants consisted of 14 teenagers with anorexia 12 to 17 years old. Each one of the participants went through three phases of family therapy for a year with a professional therapist: “workshop, manual, and weekly supervision” (Couturier). Each one of the sessions were videotaped, as well as rated for treatment effectiveness. The results showed that the weight of the participants increased significantly by 7.8 kg, dietary restraint improved, and 8 out of the 9 participants regained their menstrual cycle. Also, the family and teenagers found the treatment acceptable. This study suggests “this treatment is effective not only for weight restoration, but also in improving some psychological symptoms including dietary restraint, interoceptive deficits, and maturity fears” (Couturier). Also, family therapy was “adopted with considerable fidelity” (Couturier).
Family therapy usually consists the person diagnosed with anorexia along with his or her family. But, on some occasions, family therapy sessions are done without the individual in order to help the family understand “the roles they are playing in supporting the disordered eating,” as well the ways in which they can get the person suffering from anorexia to understand they have a problem and to seek the help necessary for it (Grohol). Family therapy helps to deepen the understanding of anorexia and the ways in which they can become involved for the better of the individual.
The “Maudlsey Method” is the name specifically given to the type of family therapy where the parents take on the responsibility of feeding their anorexic daughter or son, helping them to gain weight and getting rid of their bad eating habits.
The Jennifer Couturier et al. 2012 study researched the effectiveness that family therapy has on individuals from 12 to 17 years old who were diagnosed with anorexia. The participants consisted of 14 teenagers with anorexia 12 to 17 years old. Each one of the participants went through three phases of family therapy for a year with a professional therapist: “workshop, manual, and weekly supervision” (Couturier). Each one of the sessions were videotaped, as well as rated for treatment effectiveness. The results showed that the weight of the participants increased significantly by 7.8 kg, dietary restraint improved, and 8 out of the 9 participants regained their menstrual cycle. Also, the family and teenagers found the treatment acceptable. This study suggests “this treatment is effective not only for weight restoration, but also in improving some psychological symptoms including dietary restraint, interoceptive deficits, and maturity fears” (Couturier). Also, family therapy was “adopted with considerable fidelity” (Couturier).
FBT vs. AFT
The randomized clinical trial of James Lock at al. 2009, investigated the effectiveness of “family-based treatment (FBT) and adolescent- focused individual therapy (AFT) for adolescents with anorexia nervosa in full remission” (Lock). The participants consisted of 121 teenagers from 12 to 18 years old diagnosed with anorexia with amenorrhea. Each one of these participants had “twenty-four outpatient hours of treatment over 12 months of FBT or AFT” (Lock). They were measured at baseline at the end of treatment, 6 months and 12 months later as follow-up posttreatment. The results showed that there was no significant difference “in full remission between treatments” once the treatment ended. Once the 6 months were over and also the 12 month follow-up, FBT showed to be superior to AFT based on this measure. Also, those who received FBT showed “greater changes in Eating Disorder Examination score…than those in AFT,” while AFT was superior to FBT once the treatment had ended. This study suggests that one cannot identify which treatment is absolutely better than the other and also how it may depend on how severe the case of anorexia is. Also, that the family environment plays a big role in anorexia because one that values physical appearance more may be better of with FBT because they learn more about their role in the cause and the development of anorexia nervosa.
Lock, James, Daniel Le Grange, W. Stewart Agras, Ann Moye, Susan W. Bryson, and Booil Jo. "Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing Family-Based Treatment With Adolescent-Focused Individual Therapy for Adolescents With Anorexia Nervosa." Arch Gen Psychiatry. American Medical Association, 29 Mar. 2010. Web. 29 Feb. 2012. <http://archpsyc.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/67/10/1025>.
Couturier, Jennifer, Leanna Isserlin, and James Lock. "Family-Based Treatment for Adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa: A Dissemination Study." PubMed Central. US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, 2010. Web. 29 Feb. 2012. <
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3012128/?tool=pmcentrez>.
Grohol, John M. "Treatment for Anorexia." Psych Central. 7 Apr. 2011. Web. 29 Feb. 2012. <http://psychcentral.com/lib/2006/treatment-for-anorexia/>.
Staff, Mayo Clinic. "Anorexia Nervosa." Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 05 Jan. 2012. Web. 29 Feb. 2012. <http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/anorexia/DS00606/METHOD=print>.
Iizuka, Akane. "Research and Examine the Biomedical, Individual, and Group Approaches to Treatment for Anorexia Nervosa – Akane." SlS IB Psychology. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Apr. 2013. <http://psychology.geckos.sis.org.cn/2012/03/treatment-to-anorexia-nervosa-akane/>.
Lock, James, Daniel Le Grange, W. Stewart Agras, Ann Moye, Susan W. Bryson, and Booil Jo. "Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing Family-Based Treatment With Adolescent-Focused Individual Therapy for Adolescents With Anorexia Nervosa." Arch Gen Psychiatry. American Medical Association, 29 Mar. 2010. Web. 29 Feb. 2012. <http://archpsyc.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/67/10/1025>.
Couturier, Jennifer, Leanna Isserlin, and James Lock. "Family-Based Treatment for Adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa: A Dissemination Study." PubMed Central. US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, 2010. Web. 29 Feb. 2012. <
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3012128/?tool=pmcentrez>.
Grohol, John M. "Treatment for Anorexia." Psych Central. 7 Apr. 2011. Web. 29 Feb. 2012. <http://psychcentral.com/lib/2006/treatment-for-anorexia/>.
Staff, Mayo Clinic. "Anorexia Nervosa." Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 05 Jan. 2012. Web. 29 Feb. 2012. <http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/anorexia/DS00606/METHOD=print>.
Iizuka, Akane. "Research and Examine the Biomedical, Individual, and Group Approaches to Treatment for Anorexia Nervosa – Akane." SlS IB Psychology. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Apr. 2013. <http://psychology.geckos.sis.org.cn/2012/03/treatment-to-anorexia-nervosa-akane/>.