Early intervention can significantly improve long-term health outcomes for eating disorders, which have one of the highest mortality rates of any mental health condition.<\/p>\n
Still, these conditions have been on the rise ever since the COVID-19 pandemic. And disordered eating behaviors often go undetected and are heavily underreported.<\/p>\n
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Significant training gaps remain for recognizing eating disorders in behavioral health settings. Eating disorder care is an incredibly rare subspecialty, meaning not many providers know how to spot associated problematic behaviors.”<\/p>\n
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Sohyun Han, PhD, clinical psychologist, Eating Disorders Program, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles<\/p>\n
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Dr. Han shares what behavioral health practitioners should know about indicators of illness, the benefits of early intervention, and gold standard treatment models CHLA is applying today.<\/p>\n
Treating eating disorders in childhood is imperative<\/p>\n
“Eating disorders, especially anorexia, often become entrenched by adulthood, with research showing poorer prognoses for both recovery and overall physical health,” says Dr. Han.<\/p>\n
The most effective interventions for eating disorders occur in childhood and adolescence, while the patient still has the support of their family.<\/p>\n
At CHLA, practitioners use an interdisciplinary medical and mental health approach called Family-Based Treatment (FBT).<\/p>\n
Family members are the primary resource for recovery<\/p>\n
As the gold standard for pediatric eating disorders, FBT recognizes that most patients feel ambivalent about getting better. That’s why family involvement is essential.<\/p>\n
While many behavioral health interventions focus on individual therapy, medical and mental health practitioners guide the parent-sometimes the whole family-to oversee the child’s recovery during FBT.<\/p>\n
As an outpatient treatment, FBT offers a structured path to recovery while allowing patients to engage in as much of their normal routine as possible. Therapy sessions may even include a family meal where the therapist is present, coaching parents to manage resistance from the child.<\/p>\n