ABSTRACT
Eating disorders primarily affect women of reproductive age. Yet clinicians who encounter pregnant and postpartum patients find there are limited resources to guide clinical practice for this presentation. We take the approach that in the absence of treatment research on this population, the best course of action is to follow clinical practice guidelines for eating disorders. Most of the chapter, therefore, covers how the first-line treatment for adult eating disorders – cognitive-behavioral treatment – is applied to this population. We refer to evidence-based treatment manuals, scholarly literature, and practice-based experience to convey how to manage illness from the “clinical trenches.” We cover selected areas of treatment including assessment, establishing a treating team, psychoeducation, formulation, weekly weighing, self-monitoring, emotional triggers, overevaluation of eating, weight, and shape, negative body image, and maintenance and relapse prevention. We illustrate augmentations intended to enhance patient engagement, treatment success, and mother and child safety. We hope this chapter improves clinicians’ knowledge of peripartum issues in treatment and offers clinical tools and support.
