Publication:
Free Text: Transdiagnostic Theory and Application of Family-Based Treatment for Youth with Eating Disorders.


abstract

This paper describes the Transdiagnostic Theory and Application of Family-Based Treatment (FBT) for children and adolescents with Eating Disorders. We review the fundamentals of FBT, a transdiagnostic theoretical model of FBT and the literature supporting its clinical application, adaptations across developmental stages and the diagnostic spectrum of eating disorders, and the strengths and challenges of this approach, including its suitability for Youth. Finally, we report a case study of an adolescent female with eating disorder not otherwise specified (EDNOS) for whom FBT was effective. We conclude that FBT is a promising outpatient treatment for anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and their EDNOS variants. The transdiagnostic model of FBT posits that while the etiology of an eating disorder is unknown, the pathology affects the family and home environment in ways that inadvertently allow for symptom maintenance and progression. FBT directly targets and resolves family level variables, including secrecy, blame, internalization of illness, and extreme active or passive parental responses to the eating disorder. Future research will test these mechanisms, which are currently theoretical.

Related Articles
A review of family-based treatment for adolescents with eating disorders.
Rev Recent Clin Trials. 2012
A review of family-based treatment for adolescents with eating disorders.
Stiles-Shields C, Hoste RR, Doyle PM, Le Grange D. Rev Recent Clin Trials. 2012 May; 7(2):133-40.
Family-Based Treatment for Adolescent Eating Disorders: Current Status, New Applications and Future Directions.
Int J Child Adolesc health. 2009
Family-Based Treatment for Adolescent Eating Disorders: Current Status, New Applications and Future Directions.
Loeb KL, le Grange D. Int J Child Adolesc health. 2009 Jan 1; 2(2):243-254.
Eating disorder not otherwise specified in adolescents.
J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychi...
Eating disorder not otherwise specified in adolescents.
Eddy KT, Celio Doyle A, Hoste RR, Herzog DB, le Grange D. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2008 Feb; 47(2):156-64.
Review Anxiety in anorexia nervosa and its management using family-based treatment.
Eur Eat Disord Rev. 2012
Review Anxiety in anorexia nervosa and its management using family-based treatment.
Hildebrandt T, Bacow T, Markella M, Loeb KL. Eur Eat Disord Rev. 2012 Jan; 20(1):e1-16. Epub 2010 Dec 28.
Review The relationship between eating disorder not otherwise specified (EDNOS) and officially recognized eating disorders: meta-analysis and implications for DSM.
Psychol Bull. 2009
Review The relationship between eating disorder not otherwise specified (EDNOS) and officially recognized eating disorders: meta-analysis and implications for DSM.
Thomas JJ, Vartanian LR, Brownell KD. Psychol Bull. 2009 May; 135(3):407-33.