No abstract

Despite the sometimes chronic nature of AN, most patients fell into one of the two favorable response trajectories. The identification of these trajectories underscores the importance of considering the core disordered eating behaviors (i.e., restricting, binge eating, and purging), comorbid psychopathology, and parental expressed emotion.

Family-based treatment principles have been incorporated into higher levels of care. However, outcome data for these programs, and, in particular, follow-up data, are limited. The current study assessed 3-month follow-up data for patients in a family-based partial hospitalization/intensive outpatient program. Patients completed measures of eating disorder psychopathology and depression, while parents completed measures of self-efficacy and expressed emotion. With the exception of paternal self-efficacy, all measures stayed the same or improved between end of treatment and follow-up, suggesting that improvements in a family-based higher level of care can be sustained once families step down to less intensive treatment.

No abstract

The purpose of the current study was to examine the relation between parental psychopathology, parental expressed emotion, and patient symptom severity. One hundred twenty-six parents of 79 patients receiving treatment for an eating disorder completed measures of expressed emotion and general psychopathology, and patients completed a measure of eating disorder psychopathology. Mothers reported higher expressed emotion scores than fathers. Both mothers and fathers scored higher on general psychopathology compared to nonpatient population means. Maternal psychopathology was found to be associated with symptom severity. Parental psychopathology and expressed emotion were found to be related, and MANCOVAs revealed that maternal criticism and maternal psychopathology were associated with patient symptom severity, but fathers' scores on the same measures were not. It is recommended that parental expressed emotion and parental psychopathology are assessed at the beginning of treatment so that appropriate clinical interventions can be utilized.

Level V: Descriptive study.

Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) was introduced in the 5th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Three different subtypes of ARFID are described: individuals who seem disinterested in eating, those who avoid certain foods because of a sensitivity to specific characteristics of the food, and those who are concerned about an aversive experience associated with eating. There is currently no first-line treatment for ARFID. Three case studies are presented of patients with ARFID who participated in a family-based partial hospitalization program/intensive outpatient program for eating disorders. A description of the course of treatment is included, as well as ways in which the eating disorder program adapted treatment to more closely meet the unique needs of these patients. An approach with emphasis on parental involvement seems promising, although research is needed to investigate this more fully.