CONFERENCE PROGRAM
- see underneath for details of keynote addresses
- for information on pre-conference workshops click here
Friday 24 May
Saturday 25 May
Keynote presentations
Working with carers with a Brain Based Approach to eating disorders
Janet Treasure, Professor of Psychiatry, Kings College & the Maudsley & South London Trust, London
Eating disorders have their peak onset in adolescence when most individuals are at home with the family. In addition to the impact that they have on the individual they also have profound effects on others in terms of the initial behaviours and on the secondary consequences that disturbances in nutrition have upon brain function. For example one of the most energy demanding aspects of brain function is social functioning. Without adequate nutrition this important aspect of development is stunted and isolation and loneliness develop. Also the ability to see the bigger picture is impaired and a harmful focus on detail and rigidity in thinking and behaviour develop.
Families are often puzzled by the illness and the changes in the individual that they love and are uncertain about how to help. This can lead them to become highly distressed and concerned. Research has shown that this distress and uncertainty can inadvertently contribute to the maintenance of the illness as it leads to a spiral of anxiety within the family whereby family members mirror and respond to each others anxiety. Families and professional carers can become overprotective and may accommodate and/or enable some symptoms of the illness. . Frustration and lack of understanding add to the problems. Both of these responses serve to perpetuate the illness.
Families note that they need more information about the illness. We have found that carers can benefit from written accounts of the illness (Treasure J et al. 2007) and profit from skills training either in groups or individually. Once carers have more information and strategies to manage the illness they become less distressed. Individuals with the eating disorder can notice the change in parental behaviour and find it to be of benefit. A calm, compassionate caring approach from parents allows individuals with an eating disorder to model this form of behaviour towards themselves.
Reference List
Treasure J, Smith G & Crane A (2007). Skills -based learning for caring for a loved one with an eating disorder. The New Maudsley Method. Routledge: London & New York
Helping parents help their kids: Understanding Family-Based Treatment
Daniel Le Grange, Professor of Psychiatry & Director of the Eating Disorders Program at The University of Chicago
Family-based treatment, or FBT, and also known as the "Maudsley Approach', has now been established as the first line treatment for medically stable adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN). While the research support for FBT is quite robust, not all families get to embark on this treatment course. When they do, however, many treatment challenges or misconceptions about FBT could still get in the way of successful outcome. In this presentation, Dr Le Grange will first describe the FBT model, highlight the fundamental assumptions of this approach, and outline the three phases of treatment. Second, he will discuss some of the common concerns and misconceptions that either prevent families from embarking on this treatment, or pose as obstacles in their path toward helping their offspring overcome their eating disorder. Dr Le Grange will share, via video, one family's experience in FBT, before closing with time for questions and
discussion
Midlife Eating Disorders: The Recovery Journey for Adults and their Partners
Cindy Bulik, Professor of Eating Disorders, Department of Psychiatry University of North Carolina
Although crisp epidemiological data are lacking, treatment centers around the world are witnessing a rise in the number of women and men in midlife and beyond who are presenting for treatment of eating disorders. This demographic shift is rendering it essential for researchers and clinicians to take a developmental perspective when considering the causes of and treatments for eating disorders. Yet, empirical guidance on how best to treat adults with eating disorders lags behind our knowledge about the treatment of adolescents. Dr. Bulik will review both biological and environmental factors that may be contributing to the apparent rise in midlife eating disorders, will discuss the specific challenges faced by adults with eating disorders, and will elaborate on the critical role that partners can play in recovery with reference to the new treatment developed at the University of North Carolina, Uniting Couples in the treatment of Anorexia Nervosa or UCAN.
Janet Treasure, Professor of Psychiatry, Kings College & the Maudsley & South London Trust, London
Eating disorders have their peak onset in adolescence when most individuals are at home with the family. In addition to the impact that they have on the individual they also have profound effects on others in terms of the initial behaviours and on the secondary consequences that disturbances in nutrition have upon brain function. For example one of the most energy demanding aspects of brain function is social functioning. Without adequate nutrition this important aspect of development is stunted and isolation and loneliness develop. Also the ability to see the bigger picture is impaired and a harmful focus on detail and rigidity in thinking and behaviour develop.
Families are often puzzled by the illness and the changes in the individual that they love and are uncertain about how to help. This can lead them to become highly distressed and concerned. Research has shown that this distress and uncertainty can inadvertently contribute to the maintenance of the illness as it leads to a spiral of anxiety within the family whereby family members mirror and respond to each others anxiety. Families and professional carers can become overprotective and may accommodate and/or enable some symptoms of the illness. . Frustration and lack of understanding add to the problems. Both of these responses serve to perpetuate the illness.
Families note that they need more information about the illness. We have found that carers can benefit from written accounts of the illness (Treasure J et al. 2007) and profit from skills training either in groups or individually. Once carers have more information and strategies to manage the illness they become less distressed. Individuals with the eating disorder can notice the change in parental behaviour and find it to be of benefit. A calm, compassionate caring approach from parents allows individuals with an eating disorder to model this form of behaviour towards themselves.
Reference List
Treasure J, Smith G & Crane A (2007). Skills -based learning for caring for a loved one with an eating disorder. The New Maudsley Method. Routledge: London & New York
Helping parents help their kids: Understanding Family-Based Treatment
Daniel Le Grange, Professor of Psychiatry & Director of the Eating Disorders Program at The University of Chicago
Family-based treatment, or FBT, and also known as the "Maudsley Approach', has now been established as the first line treatment for medically stable adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN). While the research support for FBT is quite robust, not all families get to embark on this treatment course. When they do, however, many treatment challenges or misconceptions about FBT could still get in the way of successful outcome. In this presentation, Dr Le Grange will first describe the FBT model, highlight the fundamental assumptions of this approach, and outline the three phases of treatment. Second, he will discuss some of the common concerns and misconceptions that either prevent families from embarking on this treatment, or pose as obstacles in their path toward helping their offspring overcome their eating disorder. Dr Le Grange will share, via video, one family's experience in FBT, before closing with time for questions and
discussion
Midlife Eating Disorders: The Recovery Journey for Adults and their Partners
Cindy Bulik, Professor of Eating Disorders, Department of Psychiatry University of North Carolina
Although crisp epidemiological data are lacking, treatment centers around the world are witnessing a rise in the number of women and men in midlife and beyond who are presenting for treatment of eating disorders. This demographic shift is rendering it essential for researchers and clinicians to take a developmental perspective when considering the causes of and treatments for eating disorders. Yet, empirical guidance on how best to treat adults with eating disorders lags behind our knowledge about the treatment of adolescents. Dr. Bulik will review both biological and environmental factors that may be contributing to the apparent rise in midlife eating disorders, will discuss the specific challenges faced by adults with eating disorders, and will elaborate on the critical role that partners can play in recovery with reference to the new treatment developed at the University of North Carolina, Uniting Couples in the treatment of Anorexia Nervosa or UCAN.