The Maudsley Approach to Anorexia Treatment
Parents as a Treatment Resource in the Healing Process From Anorexia
Mar 20, 2009
Weight restoration is only one dynamic in the treatment of anorexia nervosa. Due to the cost of inpatient treatment, the Maudsely intensive outpatient treatment targets parental power within the family unit.
The Maudsley Family Approach is...
Developed in London by specialists, and incorporated in some treatment facilities within the U.S., this treatment modality makes active use of all family members. The objective of this approach is to place treatment into the daily sphere of an adolescent's life.
A therapist is actively involved. He/she monitors and observes the daily family dynamics and mentors the parents and siblings as they interface with their identified eating disorder teenager and the eating disorder.
Encouraging Statistics Regarding the Impact of the Maudsely Approach
For young people with anorexia nervosa, studies are demonstrating that two-thirds of these identified eating disordered sufferers not only recover from anorexia, but are 75-90% restored of their body weight according to five year reviews. Additionally, there was improvement in psychological functioning.
Studies from within the U.S. are also demonstrating similar results to the studies performed in London as far as the success of this approach to treatment. For instance, adolescents generally are recovered, "with no more than 20 treatment sessions over the course of 6-12 months." Additionally, full body weight is gained for about 80% of the identified patients with either their menses resumed or beginning (as anorexia progresses the menses ceases).
Core Treatment Functions of the Maudsely Approach
Maudsely treatment targets three core functions:
- Through parental influence and intervention, the identified eating disordered child or teen's weight is restored per accepted health standards;
- The responsibility of healthy eating is eventually given back to the identified eating disordered child or teen; and,
- The normal routine of developing as a teenager, as well as all the issues this may encompass are explored.
This approach does not target the parents as the cause of the anorexic problem, but rather, seeks to utilize the parents as a treatment source and foundation, thus, evidently, aiding in the elimination of guilt as a treatment issue.
Restoring Normal Weight is the First Phase of Maudsely Treatment
The severe consequences of starvation and malnutrition are addressed. The dynamics of the family are evaluated, and parents are given assistance as to how to create healthy meal plans to foster weight gain. The therapist will observe how the family approaches food, such as their meal plan.
The therapist will mentor the parents and show them how to model positive support for the eating disordered child/teen without criticism or blame. Furthermore, isolation from siblings will cease to be an issue, as family interaction will strive to become more normal. That is, recovery will not just be the focus between the identified eating disordered child/teen, and the parents, but will encourage normal family dynamics, including those between all siblings.
The Adolescent Regains Charge of Eating - Second Phase of Maudsely Treatment
First, there is the acceptance by the identified eating disordered client that the parents require continued increase in weight and food consumption. Additionally, the family is now in charge of the eating disorder, not the eating disorder and the identified client in charge of the family. Slowly, the eating disordered teen regains control over his/her own eating again.
Maintenance of Healthy Weight Gain Signals Phase Three
Phase three is marked by the ability of the disordered eating teenager to cease starvation and to maintain a healthy weight level above 95% of his/her ideal weight.
A new functioning identity for the teen and family is established, thus, captivity by an eating disorder ceases to exist.
 |
