Holly developed signs of anorexia when she was just 7-years-old. Her food went untouched, and she began losing weight. Her parents chose a less-traditional form of treatment called the “Maudsley Approach,” which focuses simply on getting the patient to eat again.
Phase one – lasting from weeks to a year – hinges entirely upon weight restoration. Whereas traditional anorexia therapy often excludes parents from treatment, Maudsley parents’ active involvement is seen as essential to their child’s recovery.
"If a 15-year-old had a bottle of vodka before school every morning, would you say 'Well, that adolescent is asserting her need for control, so parents back off?'" [Dr. Sarah] Ravin said. "No, because drinking alcohol before school is not OK." [Source: Miami Herald]
Dr. Ravin refers to the Maudsley Approach as an “agnostic” approach, meaning there’s little concern about what triggered the illness. Instead, patients focus first on regaining weight – a phase that is controlled by the parents, who set meal times and menus, and simply sit and wait as long as needed for the patient to start eating. Once a healthy weight has been achieved, the patient can gradually begin controlling her own meals. Only in phase three are causes of the illness addressed.
Labels: treatment, family, maudsley approach
Posted By: Stefanie Hamilton