Maudsley-Based Treatment Program

Maudsley-Based Treatment Program for Disordered Eating Patterns – Anorexia, Bulimia, Childhood Obesity

This program is based upon the “Maudsley Method”, an evidenced-based approach that has been used in Great Britain for over 20 years. The outcome data for this approach is better than that of any other researched approach (for anorexic adolescents who still live with at least one parent and are dependent upon the family for financial, emotional and physical care).

This approach respects the importance and positive influence parents have upon their children. The parents are seen as the best source of change for the child, and supported in their efforts to re-feed the client or assist with binge eating practices allowing the child to eat healthfully.

Maudsley Treatment for Childhood Obesity

For the child’s health and well being and due do the many physiological concerns of those suffering with these disordered patterns it is often reasonable to provide inpatient or residential care for weight restoration. Unfortunately there is little in the way of evidence that such treatment reduces the chronic symptoms. After successful weight restoration it is common that individuals with anorexia nervosa who remain anxious, obsessional, perfectionist, and have body image distortions, etc. It is also common for children suffering with childhood obesity to continue eating with portion distortion issues, isolation, and depressive loss of motivation.

Both anorexia nervosa and childhood obesity are often chronic disorders, with symptoms lasting many years, even a lifetime. Early intervention is associated with improved outcomes. Maudsley Family Therapy, considers all these aspects of recovery and has shown has to be effective in children and adolescents with Anorexia, Bulimia, and Childhood Obesity.

The purpose of this treatment is NOT to blame the parents. Rather we teach parents the tools necessary to understand and successfully manage their child with disordered eating at home. In addition, we teach children/adolescents how to understand the symptoms that they are experiencing and develop more effective coping strategies.

The basic tenants of this approach are:

• Rather than assume that the parents are the source of their child’s eating disorder such as anorexia, bulimia, over eating or childhood obesity Maudsley views parents as main sources of support. Parents are involved closely in the treatment of their child, and are seen as key to the child’s recovery.
• Rather than assume that in order to recover from all eating disorders, the patient must begin to CHOOSE to change their eating patterns; it assumes that the patient is unable to chose to eat or stop eating. The choice to eat or eat unhealthfully is non-negotiable. Parents must take over a large role in the responsibility of assisting their child/adolescent to move toward a more balanced nutritional life.
• Food is considered medicine, and normal eating is seen as the first-line of treatment, as opposed to a long-range goal.

Requirements:

• Parents must agree to attend regular sessions. This is of utmost importance for treatment success. Consistency is imperative.
• Treatment must take priority over normal life schedules. The parents’ commitment to treatment should reflect to the patient that eating is THE priority.
• Re-feeding or the stopping of binge eating must be closely monitored by a physician who is willing to be very involved in monitoring the patient’s medical status. The Eating Disorder Recovery Center has excellent relationships with many pediatricians in St. Louis who accept a wide range of insurance plans. In the case that your pediatrician/internist is unable to monitor the patient to the extent that we deem necessary, the Eating Disorder Recovery Center will facilitate an appropriate referral.
• Parents (at home) must provide meals for their child. These meal should be based upon the dietician’s guidelines (which will be easy to follow and reasonable).

Who is a good candidate for this treatment?

Good Candidate for this style of treatment include:

• Children or Adolescents with Childhood Obesity/Anorexia/Bulimia who are still of minor age (still under the legal and financial control of parents or guardians).
• A family that is willing to participate in intensive family therapy for children/adolescents through college age.
• Parents who are willing to assume responsibility for re-feeding their eating disordered child at their own home (i.e., willing to be the “bad guy” at times).
• Parents who are willing/able to re-structure their lives in order to make treatment a priority.

Good Resource - Laura Collins, Author of “Eating with Your Anorexic” Fighting Anorexia: No One to Blame

The age of some of the youngest patients has slipped to 9 years old, and doctors have begun to research the roots of this disease. Anorexia is probably hard-wired, the new thinking goes, and the best treatment is a family affair... Complete MSNBC Article

Adult anorexic patients, Purging Type Anorexic patients, and those without consistent parental support are not good candidates for this particular form of treatment.

The Eating Disorder Recovery Center provides excellent optional treatments for those patients who are not good candidates for the Maudsley Multi-family group. Please contact us with any questions.

This is a 5-day or 10-day intensive treatment program lasting one to two weeks, from Monday through Friday and involves approximately 20-50 hours of treatment. Treatment takes place in our offices. The participation of both parents, the client themselves, and all siblings living in the home is optimal. (For those outside the St. Louis area, long-term extremely reasonably priced lodging is available from a variety of sources.)