Section - Quick Takes

02. Updates on Treatments for Adolescent Anorexia Nervosa

Published on July 1, 2020 Expired on April 1, 2023

James Phelps, M.D.

Research Editor - Psychopharmacology Institute

Key Points

For an adolescent with anorexia nervosa, consider family-based treatment as the first-line intervention. It offers many of the same interventions that an inpatient program would but in a more generalizable environment—the home.

To unlock this audio you need to become a Silver, Gold, Silver extended or Gold extended Member.

Check Our CME Program

Downloads for Offline Access

Download Audio File (MP3)

Text version

Anorexia nervosa is a frightening illness. It has severe consequences, and it is tough to treat. It is frightening for me, at least, just because of those consequences and the difficulty in treating it. So, an article that begins with a bullet announcing “significant advances in the treatment of adolescents with anorexia nervosa” is certainly welcome. However, I am sorry to report that “these significant advances” is an overstatement, at least to my eye. Nevertheless, there are some useful updates in this review by Dr. James Lock of Stanford’s Training Institute for Child and Adolescent Eating Disorders. He is an expert on anorexia nervosa in general and on adolescent anorexia in particular, especially family-based treatment (FBT). Indeed, he wrote the manual on FBT back in 2013.

So, here are the high points from his review that focuses on adolescent anorexia nervosa, not adults. Dr. Lock gives little advice about medication

Unlock this Quick Take and earn 0.50 CMEs
Become a Silver, Gold, Silver extended or Gold extended Member.

Get Instant Access

Already have an account? Sign in

Next Section

03. A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial of Combined Escitalopram and Memantine for Older Adults With Major Depression and Subjective Memory Complaints

Learning Objectives:

After completing this activity, the learner will be able to:

Reassess the role of antidepressants in the treatment of bipolar depression in light of a new review and new data suggesting that antidepressants could induce treatment resistance.
Compare current treatment options for adolescents with anorexia nervosa.
Evaluate a randomized trial which purports to show memantine improved memory outcomes in older patients with depression when used as an adjunct to escitalopram.
Examine the literature on the use of transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) for negative symptoms in patients with schizophrenia.
Evaluate recent and older data on the use of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for the treatment of auditory hallucinations in patients with schizophrenia.

Original Release Date: July 1, 2020

Review and Re-release Date: March 1, 2023

Expiration Date: April 1, 2023

Relevant Financial Disclosures:

James Phelps declares the following interests:

- McGraw-Hill: book on bipolar disorder

- W.W. Norton & Co.: book on bipolar disorder

All of the relevant financial relationships listed above have been mitigated by Medical Academy and the Psychopharmacology Institute.

Contact Information: For questions regarding the content or access to this activity, contact us at support@psychopharmacologyinstitute.com

Instructions for Participation and Credit:

Participants must complete the activity online during the valid credit period that is noted above.

Follow these steps to earn CME credit:

View the required educational content provided on this course page.
Answer the quiz for promoting retention of knowledge.
Complete the Post Activity Evaluation for providing the necessary feedback for continuing accreditation purposes and for the development of future activities. NOTE: Completing the Post Activity Evaluation after the quiz is required to receive the earned credit.
Download your certificate.

Accreditation Statement

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint providership of Medical Academy LLC and the Psychopharmacology Institute. Medical Academy is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Credit Designation Statement

Medical Academy designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 0.5 AMA PRA Category 1 credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.