APA Practice Guidelines for the Treatment of Eating Disorders

The American Psychological Association (APA) has published practice guidelines for several mental disorders including Eating Disorders. Eating disorders can be very difficult to treat and many mental health professionals feel uncomfortable with even the idea of treating these patients.

In 2000, the APA released its first edition of guidelines and has recently released a second edition. For a patient diagnosed with Anorexia Nervosa the main goals are to: improve eating habits, restore weight to within normal limits, nutrition and normal perceptions of fullness and hunger.

The APA gives specific treatment guidelines, level of care recommendations, efficacy calculations, and best practice guides for Anorexia as well as Bulimia. The guidelines discuss the usefulness of medication as well and at what stages in the patient’s treatment medication would be indicated. For example for Bulimia Nervosa they recommend a combination of concurrent treatments; nutritional rehabilitation, psychosocial interventions (CBT, behavioral, etc) in group or individual, family interventions and the use of SSRI psychopharmacological interventions. For patients diagnosed with Anorexia Nervosa, they do not recommend starting medication treatment until body weight has been stabilized.

For more information, review the APA Practice Guidelines for the Treatment of Patients with Eating Disorders by clicking on this link.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Mindfulness

Mindfulness is intentionally paying attention to the present moment while putting aside our preconceived ideas, expectations, and judgments. It is being in connection with the here and now. Over the past 30 years there has been a buildup of evidence-based research using mindfulness practice to work with difficult medical and mental health issues such as stress, anxiety, depression, relationships, addiction, insomnia, chronic pain, immune function, cancer, trauma, and more. Check this out: Mindfulness Blog by Dr. Goldstein: "The practice of mindfulness teaches us a different way to relate to our thoughts, feelings, and emotions as they arise. It is about learning to approach and acknowledge whatever is happening in the present moment, setting aside our lenses of judgment and just being with whatever is there, rather than avoiding it or needing to fix it. It’s the mind’s attempt to avoid and fix things in this moment that fuels the negative mood. So, if sadness is there, instead of
Read more

The Stigma of Mental Illness

Image
Many people suffering from mental illness feel that society does not want them or understand them. As mental health professionals, we are here to educate families and society about mental illess. At some point in our lives most people are touched by mental illness with a family member, friend or even ourselves. May is Mental Health Awareness Month! Spread the news of healing and support for those suffering from mental illness.
Read more