There is a common misconception that Maudsley Family-Based
Treatment (FBT) is all about parental control of feeding. While
Phase I of FBT does require parents to take control of their ill
child’s food intake to help her restore her weight, FBT also
encompasses two other very important phases. In Phase II,
parents return control over eating to their child as she
demonstrates readiness to eat on her own. Phase III involves
helping the adolescent return to normal development and
establish a healthy identity. Weight restoration is an essential
first step in overcoming AN, but it is only the first step.
Equally important is the ability to feed oneself properly and
maintain a healthy weight independently. Without the ability to
eat independently, opportunities are limited and quality of life
is greatly diminished. Recovery from an eating disorder is about
more than just restoring a healthy body – it is also about
restoring a healthy mind and a fulfilling life. Phase I tends to
be the most tumultuous and draining fo