For children and young people the evidence shows that a family based approach is most effective, we call this FBT (Family Based Treatment). This involves the family coming together, in clinic, this can include siblings where appropriate, and the aim is to identify how the family can support their child’s recovery.
Throughout treatment we will also carry out physical monitoring – this includes checking weight, blood pressure, blood tests as required.
The specialist eating disorder service aims to provide treatment consistent with ‘The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines for eating disorders (2004)’and SIGN guidelines . Both of which advise that FBT should be offered as the first line evidence based treatment of choice, for Anorexia and Bulimia, with CBT-ED to be considered if FBT is not successful or the family are unable to engage in this treatment.
The length of treatment will usually depend on the severity and history of the eating disorder. Normally we would expect treatment to last nine months to a year (this may be around 20 sessions, spaced out over the last few months), but it may take longer to achieve a full recovery, although some people complete treatment more quickly. Generally treatment will be more intensive at the start and appointments will become further apart as recovery progresses.
Eating Disorders can be life threatening, and in some occasions we may have to consider inpatient treatment if a young person’s physical or mental health is at significant risk. In this case it is sometimes necessary to refer a young person to the local paediatric ward (DGRI) or the inpatient adolescent unit (Skye House Glasgow) for a short period of inpatient care.