FEEDING AND EATING DISORDERS MANAGEMENT IN ADOLESCENCE - COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL APPROACH

Abstract

Feeding and Eating Disorders (FED) are amongst the most frequent and severe psychiatric disorders in adolescence. These disorders can be considered an important public health issue, since they mostly affect a young population with potential significant functional impact at a young age and throughout adult life. Cognitive behavioral approach has demonstrated evidence as one of the empirically validated reference treatments for all FED. This article aims to perform a narrative review of the cognitive behavioral conceptualization and treatment approach of FED. Enhanced Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CCT-E) is the treatment of choice for adolescents with FED when Family Therapy is contraindicated, not accepted, or not effective. Furthermore, the importance of an early intervention is emphasized, since it has been demonstrated that CCT-E has more effective results and in a shorter period of time in adolescents compared with an adult population.