Nina Kirz, MD

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This article uses three brief case reports to illustrate how family-based treatment (FBT) can be used to treat pre-adolescents with avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID).METHOD: We present case material illustrating how FBT can be used in three different clinical presentations of ARFID: (1) low appetite and lack of interest; (2) sensory sensitive eaters; and (3) fear of aversive consequences eaters-all without shape or weight concerns.RESULTS: This case material illustrates that the main principles of FBT-agnosticism as to the cause of the illness, externalization, emphasizing the seriousness of ARFID, parental empowerment, behavioral consultation, and practical behavioral focus-are applicable for a range of ARFID clinical presentations. Common challenges in this patient group include (1) promoting urgency; (2) challenging long term behavioral accommodation; (3) lack of parental alignment, parental fatigue, (4) and co-morbid psychiatric problems in the patients. Strategies to address these problems are described.CONCLUSION: FBT can be adapted for children with ARFID using the main principles of the approach.

View details for PubMedID 30578635

Abstract

To examine the prevalence, correlates, persistence, and treatment-seeking related to symptoms of eating disorders (EDs) in a random sample of college students.A random sample of students at a large university were recruited for an Internet survey in Fall 2005 and a follow-up survey in Fall 2007.ED symptoms were measured using the SCOFF screen and adjusted for nonresponse using administrative data and a nonresponse survey.2,822 (56%) students completed the baseline survey. Among undergraduates the prevalence of positive screens was 13.5% for women and 3.6% for men. Among students with positive screens, 20% had received past-year mental health treatment. In the follow-up sample (N = 753), ED symptoms at baseline significantly predicted symptoms 2 years later.Symptoms of EDs were prevalent and persistent among college students in this study. These findings suggest that brief screens can identify a large number of students with untreated EDs.

View details for DOI 10.1080/07448481.2010.546461

View details for Web of Science ID 000299478200003

View details for PubMedID 21950250