Eating Disorders A Serious Medical Condition - 1844 Words

Eating disorders are a serious medical condition that have the potential to be life-threatening. There are three main types of eating disorders: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. Although eating disorders affect both genders, rates are two and a half times greater among women and girls than among men and boys and existing research has found that an interaction of factors (genetic, biological, psychological, and social) can cause eating disorders, although the specific causes of eating disorders remains unclear (National Institute of Mental Health). Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is an eating disorder that causes someone to weigh less than what is considered healthy based on their age and height. Symptoms of AN include†¦show more content†¦The National Institute of Mental Health states that typical treatment plans for AN often include individual, group, or family psychotherapy that utilizes family-based therapy and cognitive behavioral approaches; medical care and monitoring; nutritional counseling; and, medications such as antidepressants (2015). Experts in the field recommend that treatment of AN use a multidimensional approach that includes a physician, psychiatrist, mental health professional and dietician or nutritionist (Halmi, 2006). History of the Maudsley Approach/Family-based Therapy (FBT) Family-based Treatment for Adolescent Anorexia Nervosa Dr. Christopher Dare and his colleagues at the Maudsley Hospital in London first conceptualized what would be known as the Maudsley Approach (also known as the Maudsley Model or Maudsley Family Therapy) (Couturier, Isserlin, Lock, 2010). The Maudsley Approach is a type of treatment for AN among adolescents which emphasizes the importance of family involvement (Dare, le Grange, Lock, 2000). It was later manualized as an evidence-based practice known as the Family-based Therapy (FBT) Family-Based Treatment for Anorexia Nervosa (Lock et al., 2001) and is proven to be most effective with patients 18 years old and younger who are within