The Maudsley Approach: A Family Treatment For Anorexia Nervosa
The Maudsley approach is a family-focused therapy for people under the age of 18 suffering from anorexia nervosa. Christopher Dare and his colleagues at Maudsley Hospital in London created this method.
The first time anorexia nervosa was recognized was more than 125 years ago. This disorder still confuses patients and their families – it amazes even doctors to this day. One thing is for sure: the treatments are generally effective in restoring weight.
Despite this, however, many of them can be detrimental to the teenager’s family, social and educational life. In addition to this, weight recovery is not enough to recover, so relapses are often common.
The Maudsley approach to anorexia nervosa is a successful and alternative outpatient model for the expensive hospitalization programs available at Maudsley Hospital .
The Maudsley approach to the treatment of anorexia nervosa
Professionals have performed only a few controlled clinical trials to explore effective outpatient treatments for adolescents with anorexia. Although the research has not been extensive, recently published reports on the treatment of juvenile anorexia nervosa have been very encouraging about the effect of the Maudsley approach.
After reviewing all the research conducted at the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in England, doctors concluded that all health services should prioritize family-focused therapies for this disorder. Therefore, the Maudsley approach seems to be an excellent treatment option. Many books provide an explanation of what this therapy is all about.
In addition, the Maudsley approach aims to correct incorrect blame for the patient’s illness. It tries to get the parents and the patient to see that they are not to blame for the occurrence of this disease. None of them are responsible. Therefore, this method uses a theoretical agnostic approach to the etiology of anorexia.
Phases of the Maudsley approach
The Maudsley approach goes through three clearly defined phases. The patient and family perform these phases within 15-20 treatment sessions over a period of approximately 12 months.
Phase I: Weight recovery
In phase I, also known as the weight recovery phase, the therapist focuses on the dangers of severe malnutrition associated with anorexia nervosa. It addresses symptoms such as hypothermia, changes in growth hormones, heart dysfunction or cognitive and emotional changes.
During this phase, professionals evaluate the patient’s typical family interaction patterns and eating habits. The therapist will do everything to help the parents in their joint attempt to restore the child’s weight. Most of this first phase consists of training parents towards success in weight recovery.
It is also very important to restructure the teenager’s relationship with siblings or peers. This will help them form stronger, more age-related relationships instead of being “involved” in a single parent relationship.
Phase II: Restore control of the patient’s nutrition
Phase II of treatment focuses on encouraging parents to help their child take more control over food. Symptoms are still the main discussion between the therapist and the family. Despite this , the therapist encourages weight gain little by little.
In addition, it is important in this phase to resolve any other general family relationship problems or difficulties. Everyone involved works together to resolve any concerns that family may have. Above all, analyze the professional effect that some of these problems have had on the task of gaining weight.
Phase III: Establish a healthy identity
Phase III begins firstly when the patient is no longer starving, and secondly when they can maintain the weight above 95% of the ideal weight.
The focus of treatment is beginning to change. Now begins the analysis of the impact that anorexia nervosa has had on the individual. Through this survey , the teenager begins to establish a healthy identity. This involves a review of the key problems in adolescence, as well as support for greater personal autonomy for the patient.
They work to develop appropriate parental boundaries and help parents reorganize their lives together after the children eventually move out.
The promise of the Maudsley approach
In summary, this approach provides a great boost for most teens who have been ill for a relatively short time (about less than three years).
This family-based treatment can prevent hospitalization and help teens in their recovery, as it considers the patient’s parents as a resource to play an active role in treatment.
