Citation

Pinzon JL, Beimers MA. B. C. Med. J. BCMJ 2005; 47(1): 28-34.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, British Columbia Medical Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In North America, eating disorders are the third most common chronic health condition for females between 15 and 19 years of age. Short- and long-term medical complications associated with these disorders remain a major source of concern to parents and health care providers. Over the past three decades treatment has revolved around behavior modification and operant conditioning techniques. This approach has been successful for some patients but ineffective for a significant number of adolescents with chronic eating disorders. In an attempt to address this problem, an approach based on the concepts proposed by Prochaska and DiClemente in their transtheoretical model of change has been integrated into the philosophy of treatment over the past several years. Another change has been a shift toward outpatient treatment of eating disorders. Being aware of these changes and knowing how to manage possible medical complications can allow clinicians to contribute to the recovery of children and adolescents affected by eating disorders.

Language: en

Keywords

human; North America; suicide; malnutrition; hospitalization; philosophy; parent; awareness; review; outpatient; eating disorder; neuroleptic agent; amfebutamone; paroxetine; serotonin uptake inhibitor; venlafaxine; dehydration; electrolyte disturbance; confidentiality; health care personnel; hypotension; behavior modification; side effect; symptom; hypoglycemia; growth retardation; potassium; estrogen; puberty; contraceptive agent; bradycardia; phosphate; hypophosphatemia; instrumental conditioning; hypokalemia; amenorrhea; bone mass; hypochloremia; medroxyprogesterone acetate; metabolic alkalosis; potassium dihydrogen phosphate; withdrawal bleeding