Treatment and outcome of adolescent anorexia nervosa

Treatment of adolescent anorectic patients includes a comprehensive assessment of the patient's condition, measures leading to effective weight restoration and the choice of the optimal treatment setting. The main psychotherapeutic approaches include supportive individual psychotherapy, behavioural, and family therapy. Individual psychotherapy is provided by a supportive relationship with treatment staff and the therapeutic environment of the ward. Behavioural therapy uses operant conditioning to promote weight gain and may include cognitive methods and social skills training. Family therapy may also be beneficial for some adolescent patients. There is no evidence that pharmacotherapy, besides treating depressive symptoms, has any beneficial effect in anorectic patients. The outcome and prognosis of an individual patient is unpredictable.