Multifamily Group Treatment of Adolescent Anorexia Nervosa

Family therapy is one of the most effective treatments of adolescent anorexia nervosa. Nevertheless, some families (approximately 10%) do not respond well to this approach, refuse it or are not entirely satisfied with it. Inspired by the multifamily group approach developed in the 60s and 70s to treat schizophrenia and other major psychiatric disorders, the authors devised an outpatient multifamily treatment program specifically meant to treat difficult cases of adolescent anorexia nervosa following inpatient treatment. This article describes the therapeutic program, its goals and underlying theories, its structure and activities, its advantages and disadvantages. Our experience with this approach indicates that multifamily groups are a useful therapeutic alternative for cases that are not well suited for individual family therapy and remain fragile after inpatient treatment, thus being at risk for relapse and a chronic course.