How does FBT-TAY differ from the standard FBT?
The key underlying principles of FBT-TAY and FBT are similar but central to FBT-TAY is that the young adult agrees to have their parents take the role of the management of food/eating and exercise for a period of time. The adult agrees to the interventions targeting anorexia symptoms and how they will be supported to achieve these goals.
- FBT-TAY is tailored to address the unique developmental needs of older adolescents and young adults with AN, i.e., providing more individual session time.
- It promotes greater collaboration between the young adult and their parents to work against the illness together.
- It assists the young adult in dealing with/facing (?) challenges and psychological tasks associated with emerging adulthood in the final phase of the treatment.
While children and teens with anorexia often tend to be more fully immersed in the illness, older adolescents and young adults can show more insight into their situation. While the drive to restrict and fear to gain weight can be equally strong, they often have a greater capacity to realise that the effect of the illness is taking a toll and holding them back in their life. This makes adult collaboration more possible in ways that usually is not present with children and teens.