Family-Based Treatment for Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder

Book excerpt: This book describes the theoretical and clinical rationale for the use of Family-Based Treatment (FBT) for Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). Based on years of clinical care and systematic study of children and adolescents with ARFID using Family-Based Treatment for Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (FBT-ARFID), the manual provides guidance about assessment of ARFID. Topics covered include how to incorporate the medical, nutritional, and psychiatric problems that are common with this disorder and how to evaluate the principle maintaining behaviors related to lack of interest or appetite, extreme sensory sensitivities to food, and fear of physical repercussions of eating (e.g. pain, vomiting, allergic reactions). Step-by-step illustrations of the key interventions in FBT-ARFID are provided and detailed case discussions demonstrate how these are implemented in a range of cases. Ideal for clinical practitioners who treat children and adolescents with eating disorders, specifically, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and allied health practitioners.