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NEDA Navigator Guidebook Not for public distribution. For exclusive use by official NEDA Navigators 7. Q: What is the Maudsley method (Family Based Treatment, or, FBT)? Is there good evidence that this treatment can be effective? According to Daniel Le Grange, PhD and James Lock, MD, PhD: “The Maudsley approach can mostly be construed as an intensive outpatient treatment where parents play an active and positive role in order to: Help restore their child’s weight to normal levels expected given their adolescent’s age and height; hand the control over eating back to the adolescent and; encourage normal adolescent development through an in-depth discussion of these crucial developmental issues as they pertain to their child.” Visit www.maudsleyparents.org for more information on the effectiveness of this treatment method. 8. Q: My daughter has gone from bulimia to alcoholism? Which should be treated first and how do I go about selecting treatment? Many programs can work with simultaneous treatment, but it may be most helpful to deal with drug and/or alcohol addiction first. Look at different programs’ offerings. See if there are tracks for substance abuse. 9. Q: My daughter’s therapist, who is at a reputable facility with training in both eating disorders and addictions, states that my daughter will not drink if she tells her not to, and wants her back in college, what do I do? Try to get an outside opinion. Parents must trust their gut. Therapists are fallible and parents shouldn’t feel reluctance about questioning them. Standing up to a therapist is tough. Asking for a clear rationale for treatment is a family’s prerogative. 10. Q: The therapist/nutritionist or physician who is treating my adult daughter will tell me nothing about my daughter’s frame of mind or health. In fact, I am cut off with a comment that I am being overprotective, what do I do? The answer to this can be complicated. It depends on the stance of the therapist; however, being overprotective is an appropriate response when the adult child is very ill. 11. Q: I need a support group badly. How can I find one? Have the contact call NEDA’s Helpline if possible. They have an up-to-date list of support groups across the country. They can ask for a referral listing of those in their area/region. They can also search for support groups on NEDA’s website under the “Get Help Today” section. 12. Q: The facility recommended isn’t an ED facility. It’s a general psychiatric facility. Is that ok? Is there any other place we can go? This presents a difficult choice for families. Most people need specialized care, especially if they are older teens and above. However, younger children may do well being kept at home and treated by the family medical team and parents using proven treatment methods. Visit http://www.maudsleyparents.org for more information on home treatment. If eating disorders facilities are not available in the area, the decision needs to be made by the family and their medical team. Due diligence should be made in researching the choices of psychiatric facilities. Do they have an eating disorders track at their facility? Do they have meal plans? See the NEDA Parent Toolkit for more questions to ask. Click here: Parent Toolkit or paste this to your web browser: http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/information-resources/parent-toolkit.php Frequently Asked Questions ▪ Page 7 ©2012 National Eating Disorders Association. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction or other use of this outline without the express written consent of the National Eating Disorders Association is prohibited. 17