What Role do Parents/Caregivers Play in Recovery at Home?
At The Holistic ED Recovery Center, we believe parents & caregivers play an integral role in supporting their child to a FULL recovery from eating disorder.
We work collaboratively with the family to create an environment at home that we call Supported FBT.
Family-Based Treatment (FBT), also known as the Maudsley Approach, is an evidence-based treatment for adolescents with eating disorders, particularly anorexia nervosa. Our team will support, educate and empower the family to be actively involved in their child's treatment, from weight restoration and symptom interruption through to transitioning back into everyday life and navigating the stressors that arise.
Compared to hospital-based treatments for eating disorders, FBT has shown promising results in terms of recovery rates and long-term outcomes:
Higher Recovery Rates: Research indicates that FBT leads to higher rates of full remission from anorexia nervosa compared to traditional hospital-based treatments. Studies have found that approximately 40-50% of adolescents treated with FBT achieve full remission at the end of treatment, compared to around 20-30% with traditional treatments.
Lower Relapse Rates: FBT has been associated with lower relapse rates compared to hospital-based treatments. Long-term follow-up studies have shown that a significant proportion of adolescents who receive FBT maintain their recovery even several years after completing treatment.
Reduced Treatment Duration: FBT is typically a shorter-term treatment compared to hospital-based treatments. While the exact duration of treatment may vary depending on individual circumstances, FBT often lasts for around 6-12 months, whereas hospital-based treatments may require longer periods of hospitalization and intensive therapy.
Family Involvement and Empowerment: FBT emphasizes the importance of family involvement and empowers parents to take an active role in their child's recovery. By focusing on refeeding and restoring weight within the family context, FBT aims to address the underlying dynamics that contribute to the eating disorder and strengthen family relationships.
The role of parents in recovery is not one dimensional, either. Parents and caregivers wear many hats in the recovery journey, providing or facilitating the following:
Emotional Support: Parents/caregivers provide emotional support, which is essential for someone recovering from an eating disorder. They offer love, understanding, and encouragement, helping their child navigate the challenges and emotions that arise during recovery. You will also know, better than any professional, your child. Their energy, their moods, and how they tend to respond in certain situations. You are not only supporting them at home, you are also able to offer invaluable information to the treatment team that has more depth and more personalization that can be achieved in a 60 minute session.
Nutritional Guidance: Parents/caregivers often oversee meal planning, meal preparation, and ensure that their child receives proper nutrition. They can work with healthcare professionals to develop meal plans tailored to their child's needs, ensuring they get the nutrients necessary for physical and mental well-being.
Monitoring: Parents/caregivers play a crucial role in monitoring their child's eating habits and behaviours. They can help identify triggers or signs of relapse and intervene when necessary to prevent setbacks in the recovery process.
Creating a Supportive Environment: Parents/caregivers can create a supportive environment at home that fosters healing and recovery. This may involve removing triggers such as dieting magazines or encouraging positive body image discussions. Parents/caregivers also have a unique opportunity to practice self reflection and ownership, modelling to their child how to incorporate change and growth when self awareness highlights that a practice or habit is no longer serving in a beneficial or healthy way. This allows the child to see that they are not “the problem” - the only member of the family who needs to change in order for the entire family unit to thrive.
Advocacy: Parents/caregivers often serve as advocates for their child within the healthcare system, ensuring they receive appropriate treatment and support. They may also educate themselves about eating disorders to better understand their child's struggles and needs. This practice models the technique of “using your voice”, a behaviour that is often extremely difficult for individuals living with an eating disorder.
Role Modelling Healthy Behaviours: Parents/caregivers who model healthy eating habits and a positive relationship with food can positively influence their child's attitudes and behaviours towards food and their body image.
Consistent Presence: Having a consistent and supportive presence throughout the recovery journey can provide stability and reassurance to individuals struggling with an eating disorder.
Overall, the role of parents in eating disorder recovery is crucial as they provide support, guidance, and advocacy that are essential for their child's healing and well-being. Their involvement can significantly improve the likelihood of successful recovery.
Research suggests that family involvement, including parental support, significantly improves the outcomes of eating disorder recovery. While specific statistics may vary depending on the study and the type of eating disorder, here are some general trends:
Improved Recovery Rates: Studies have shown that individuals with eating disorders who have strong family support and involvement in their treatment have better recovery rates compared to those without familial support. Family involvement often leads to higher rates of treatment adherence and engagement in therapeutic interventions.
Reduced Relapse Rates: Involvement of parents/caregivers in the treatment process can help reduce the likelihood of relapse. Parents/caregivers can provide ongoing support, monitor for warning signs, and intervene early if their child shows signs of returning to disordered eating behaviours.
Enhanced Quality of Life: Family involvement can contribute to improved overall well-being and quality of life for individuals recovering from eating disorders. Having a supportive family environment can reduce stress and anxiety, improve self-esteem, and foster healthier relationships with food and body image.
Long-term Recovery: While specific long-term recovery statistics may vary, studies indicate that ongoing family support and involvement are crucial for maintaining recovery from eating disorders over time. Parents/caregivers can continue to provide support and encouragement as their child navigates challenges and transitions throughout life.
Overall, the involvement of parents in eating disorder recovery is associated with more positive outcomes, including higher rates of recovery, reduced relapse rates, and improved quality of life for individuals struggling with these disorders.