FAMILY-THERAPY OUTCOME IN ADOLESCENT ANOREXIA-NERVOSA

Anorexia nervosa is a serious psychosomatic illness which often follow s a prolonged course. Recent long-term follow-up studies have indicate d high mortality rates. It is therefore necessary to search for effect ive methods of treatment which could improve the outcome in anorexia n ervosa. One controlled trial which evaluated the efficacy of different forms of psychological treatments has shown that family therapy is th e superior treatment for patients with an early onset and short durati on of illness. In this article I review the development of family ther apy for anorexia nervosa with specific emphasis on the controlled fami ly treatment studies at the Maudsley Hospital in London. The efficacy of outpatient family therapy for weight restitution in malnourished an orexia nervosa patients, and some effective ingredients of this treatm ent approach, are discussed.