Family-Based Treatment for Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder

Family-based treatment (FBT) is an effective treatment for adolescents with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, including a behavioral focus on changing eating behavior and parental empowerment. The first phase focuses on parents taking charge and changing their child's eating behaviors, while the second phase focuses on the child taking up in an age-appropriate way managing their eating consistent with the changes.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 246 pages
Publication date: 30 September 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are serious mental health conditions that can have devastating effects on individuals and their families. Fortunately, there are effective treatment options available, including family-based therapy (FBT). FBT is a type of therapy that focuses on changing eating behaviors and attitudes through the involvement of the entire family.

One of the key components of FBT for anorexia and bulimia is externalization. This involves helping individuals to see their eating behaviors as external to themselves, rather than something that is a reflection of their worth or value. Externalization can help individuals to develop a more neutral and objective perspective on their eating habits, which can be helpful in reducing the anxiety and distress associated with these conditions.

Another important aspect of FBT is agnosticism. This means that therapists do not promote any particular diet or eating style as the best way to manage anorexia or bulimia. Instead, therapists work with individuals to develop a personalized plan that takes into account their individual needs and preferences. This can include a combination of dietary changes, exercise, and other lifestyle modifications.

Parental empowerment is also a critical component of FBT for anorexia and bulimia. This involves teaching parents how to support their child's recovery and how to identify and address any negative eating behaviors that may be contributing to the condition. Parents are often the primary caregivers for individuals with anorexia or bulimia, and their support can be invaluable in promoting recovery.

A behavioral focus on changing eating behavior is another important aspect of FBT for anorexia and bulimia. This involves working with individuals to develop and implement specific strategies for managing their eating behaviors. This may include techniques such as meal planning, distraction, and exposure therapy.

Early sessions of FBT for anorexia and bulimia typically focus on inciting parents to make changes and includes a family meal that allows therapists to observe and consult directly to mealtime behaviors. Therapists work with parents to identify any negative patterns or behaviors that may be contributing to their child's eating problems and to develop strategies for addressing these issues.

The first phase of FBT for anorexia and bulimia is focused on parents taking charge and changing the eating behaviors of their child that are maintaining ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder). This may involve providing education about healthy eating habits, modeling positive eating behaviors, and encouraging parents to set limits and boundaries around their child's eating. The goal of this phase is to help parents to develop the skills and confidence needed to support their child's recovery.

The second phase of FBT for anorexia and bulimia focuses on the child taking up in an age-appropriate way managing their eating consistent with the changes the parents have employed in the first phase. This may involve working with the child to develop coping strategies for managing anxiety and distress, as well as to develop a positive relationship with food. The goal of this phase is to help the child to develop the skills and confidence needed to manage their eating independently.

For adolescents with ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder), a third phase is a brief series of sessions focused on the impact of ARFID on adolescent developmental process. This may involve working with the adolescent to develop strategies for managing their ARFID, as well as to address any other mental health concerns that may be present. The goal of this phase is to help adolescents to develop the skills and confidence needed to navigate their ARFID and to develop a positive sense of self.

Overall, FBT for anorexia and bulimia is a highly effective treatment option that can help individuals and their families to recover from these serious mental health conditions. By focusing on externalization, agnosticism, parental empowerment, a behavioral focus on changing eating behavior, and early sessions that focus on inciting parents to make changes, FBT can help individuals to develop the skills and confidence needed to manage their eating and to live healthy and fulfilling lives.

Weight: 392g
Dimension: 151 x 229 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367486396