Psychological support within the general practice

(from the chapter) Patients with eating disorders are ambivalent about recovery and may be enslaved by obsessive schedules and so benefit from extra tolerance within clinics and medical centres regarding such issues as lateness or non-attendances. Motivational enhancement interviewing techniques developed for use with substance misuse can also be useful in working with eating disorders. Parents and carers may be able to offer a helpful perspective which is not available from the patient. Living with someone with an eating disorder may be so painful that expression of emotion becomes destructive to all parties. Support for families may involve referral to self-help groups or outside support agencies to preserve boundaries. Common 'stuck points' can be anticipated and should be discussed within teams so that policies are evolved. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) (chapter)