FAR EASTERN UNIVERSITY

Institute of Nursing
Nicanor Reyes Street, Sampaloc, Manila

Care of Mother and Child

at – Risk or with Problems

Case Scenario:
Anita's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Cuenco, were worried about their 16 year old; for over a
year she had been on a diet that didn’t seem to stop. They didn’t understand why she
was on a diet because she had never been overweight, and it didn't seem as though she
had secured any happiness from her diet.
Anita's dieting behavior made her more withdrawn, depressed and anxious. Every time
her parents expressed their concerns, she burst into tears or shouted at them. She had
stopped eating with the family and spent most of her time in her bedroom. 
Her parents bring her to hospital for consultation and diagnosed with Anorexia
Nervosa. She was discharged a short while later but with the recommendation that  her
parents  will take care of  her and always  refer immediately  if  her weight was
dangerously low.  Low heart rate (bradycardia) and a low temperature (hypothermia).
Base on the given scenario discuss your treatment regimen for client with anorexia
nervosa. 

Treatment for anorexia is slightly different for adults and those under 18 years old.
These are the treatment for adolescent who was suffering with anorexia nervosa:
Adolescent-focused psychotherapy will usually involve up to 40 sessions, and
normally lasts between 12 and 18 months. You'll have sessions more often in the
beginning to give you more support.
The therapist will help you:
 Cope with your fears about gaining weight
 Understand what you need to do to be healthy
 Understand the effect of under-eating
 Understand what is causing your anorexia and how to stop it.
Ongoing medical care is necessary to monitor and address the immediate and potential
health issues associated with anorexia, such as low blood pressure and electrolyte
imbalances.

Family therapy is frequently a necessary component of successful treatment for

anorexia and other eating disorders. It addresses the dysfunctional family dynamics
that contribute to and reinforce the teen’s disordered eating. Family therapy can play a
major role in the treatment process by teaching parents and other family members how
to be supportive without enabling.

Diet advice
One of the primary treatment goals for individuals with anorexia is getting back to a
healthy weight. A registered dietician (RD) usually provides this component of
treatment. If you have anorexia, you may not be getting all the vitamins and energy that
your body needs to grow and develop properly, which is especially important as you
reach puberty.
During your treatment, your doctor will give you advice about the best foods to eat to
stay healthy. They will probably also advise you to take vitamin and mineral
supplements. They will also talk to your parents or carers about your diet so they can
support you at home.

Medicine
Currently, there are no medications specifically indicated for the treatment of anorexia
nervosa. However, antidepressants and other medications may be prescribed to
alleviate symptoms of depression, anxiety, and other co-occurring disorders.
Antidepressants should not be offered as the only treatment for anorexia. But you may
be offered an antidepressant, such as fluoxetine (Prozac), in combination with therapy,
to help you manage other conditions such as:
 Anxiety
 Depression
 Social phobia
Antidepressants are very rarely prescribed for children or young people under 18.
Supporting and Encouraging Your Child - anorexia nervosa can be an extremely
challenging disorder for your child to cope with and, hopefully, overcome. Following
are several ways you can encourage and support him or her:

 Educate yourself about anorexia nervosa so you can have greater empathy for
and understanding about what your teen is going through
 Actively participate in your teen’s treatment
 Be available and willing to listen to your teen
 Use natural consequences, rather than punishment or scolding, to encourage
your teen to eat. For example, if they want to drive somewhere or engage in
some type of physical activity, say no. Remind them that they’re not going to
have the necessary stamina if they haven’t eaten, and it wouldn’t be safe.
 Don’t judge or criticize what your teen is experiencing. The unusual and often
extreme behaviors and irrational thinking of someone with anorexia can be
baffling and often seem ridiculous to those who’ve never experienced it
 Be patient and understanding without crossing the line into enabling (much
easier said than done)
 Pay attention to your teen’s eating behaviors, exercise habits, body image, and
moods. This will help you spot the warning signs of a relapse. It will also allow
you to help your teen more effectively manage his or her eating disorder by
recognizing potential triggers and patterns
 Strive to make family meals relaxing and enjoyable; don’t use the dinner table as
a place to air grievances with each other
 Model healthy eating and self-acceptance. If you’re frequently dieting or
complaining about your own weight, you’re likely reinforcing your teen’s
struggle. Also, be careful not to criticize the weight or appearance of other
people as well.
 Avoid getting into power struggles with your teen, especially over food and
other things directly related to his or her anorexia
 Minimize stress and over-stimulation in the home environment as much as
possible, and help your teen find ways to effectively manage his or her stress
 Spend quality time with your teen doing something he or she enjoys
 Never minimize or shame your teen’s struggle with his or her weight, eating
behaviors, or body image
 Do your best to keep your wits about you even if you’re feeling frustrated or
scared; your teen needs you for support, strength, and guidance
 Respect your teen’s privacy and dignity; your neighbors, relatives, and friends
don’t need to know about his or her eating disorder
 Avoid nagging or lecturing your teen; if you have concerns, talk to your teen in
an open, honest, and respectful manner
References:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/anorexia/treatment/