The treatment of eating disorders, an interdisciplinary work
When we talk about eating disorders (ED), it is always important to emphasize the importance of early detection. The sooner the disorder is detected and treated, the better the prognosis. On the other hand, the longer it takes to intervene and the longer the ED takes to develop, the more complicated the physical and mental consequences and the worse the prognosis. Therefore, it is important that, once the problem is detected, expert professional help is sought to address it. For this reason, early detection and an accurate diagnosis are essential.
When the diagnosis is confirmed and the person begins to receive treatment, they and their family will interact with different professionals who, although they have different skills and functions, are complementary and necessary throughout the recovery process.
How to access specialized public care for eating disorders in Catalonia
The importance of interdisciplinary team intervention
Eating disorders (EDs), due to their severity, require treatment through an interdisciplinary team whose objective is the recovery of the affected person in all aspects that may be affected by this disorder: physical health, psychological health, relationships with others, proper educational or work functioning, among others, as well as support for the family, which is especially important when the affected person is young.
The interdisciplinary team is made up of professionals from different fields who work in a coordinated manner and with individualized therapeutic goals for each person. It is usually made up of professionals from the fields of psychiatry, psychology, nursing, nutrition, other specialist doctors if necessary, teaching, social work, social education and, sometimes, other complementary therapists who carry out specific workshops (for example, plastic expression).
People who receive specific treatment aimed at their symptoms and from a group of professionals who are experts in their pathology progress better. They have more opportunities to recover and maintain their improvement. In short, they have a better prognosis.
These teams design the treatment by adapting it specifically to the disorder, instead of using more general techniques, and appropriate to the specific evolutionary moment the person is in. For example, nutrition professionals design the diet based on the physical state (degree of malnutrition or overweight, dietary deficiencies) and mental state, coordinating with psychiatry, psychology and nursing professionals. In the same way that therapy is structured gradually, or medication is prescribed or not according to the more or less acute symptomatic moment.
The affected person's low motivation
One of the elements of eating disorders and what both professional teams and families have to struggle with during treatment is the low awareness of the problem and the little motivation to make changes on the part of the affected person . This is very common in eating disorders and occurs in many cases, especially at the beginning, when the person is more stuck in the symptomatic behaviors and the thinking is more obsessive and restricted. This element can cause the person not to recognize either the need or the effectiveness of the treatment. But it is necessary to persist and fight for them to accept it, while showing understanding and firmness.
Coping styles in families with members with an eating disorder
In these cases, the family plays a very important role in helping the person become aware of the problem and accept help from professionals. It is recommended not to fall into rational arguments, since it is very likely that the person with ED will not be receptive to this argumentation or will try to counteract it in order to maintain the behaviors that have them stuck. The best strategy is to stand firm with respect to the guidelines and try to approach from the emotional side (how they feel, what worries them...), even if they seem angry, let them know that we are there, show them affection and be patient (a lot of patience) and not give up. Later, when the person affected feels better and can see the peak of the symptoms in perspective, they will be able to recognize and thank the family for their support. And always ask our doubts to the different professionals on the team.
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