The Maudsley Method

There is a new method for treating eating disorders out of London called the Maudsley Method.  It incorporates the family into the daily living and therapy of the individual struggling.  It involves the family with the decisions at meal time and allows them to contribute in a way that most programs leave to their own staff. This sounds great right?  

A success rate for remission twice that of a normal modality.  Well what if the parents are the primary cause of the eating patterns?  What if the caretakers consistently use "fat talk"?  This modality will be great for families who are desperate to help the individual recover.  

In the cases of sexual abuse, post traumatic stress, and social pressures the individual may not be willing to share their deepest secrets with their family or even willing to work through the therapy--as mentioned in an earlier post "Stuck Like Chuck".  Also in cases of very young children this type of treatment could give caretakers the answer and motivation to participate actively in the treatment, which can often create a better home environment on the whole.

The Maudsley Method will be another great option for treatment, but I challenge professionals and programs to really take the time to understand the dynamics of the situation before jumping in.  A success is only as good as the motivation driving it, and when that lacks (in the case of "fat talk" or other psychosocial elements regarding the family unit) it can be very difficult to maintain.  Hence, the reason for the low percentage of success when treating eating disorders.

Please read this article, it is a great introduction to the method and what it can do for you or someone you may know.  Bringing in Family to Combat Anorexia