Sidra Medicine Leads the Fight Against Eating Disorders in Adolescents with Hostile Care

Sidra Medicine, a member of Qatar Foundation, offers a specialized eating disorders clinic within its Adolescent Medicine program to support children and young people, aged 8 to 17.

In a statement outlining this issue, the medical institution highlighted that as the only comprehensive eating disorder program in Qatar, the clinic plays a vital role in addressing a growing health concern by providing holistic, multidisciplinary care tailored to the complex physical and mental health needs of adolescents.

Care is delivered by a multidisciplinary team including pediatricians, psychologists, dietitians, and social workers. The team is trained in gold-standard therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Eating Disorders (CBT-E) and Family-Based Therapy, the statement read.

It further added that the clinic provides diagnosis and management for conditions such as Anorexia Nervosa (restrictive and binge-purge types), Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), and co-occurring mental health challenges like depression, anxiety, trauma, and low self-esteem.

Acting Division Chief of Adolescent Medicine, General Pediatrics, and Dermatology at Sidra Medicine, Dr. Madeeha Kamal said: "Eating disorders are not simply about food or weight. They are complex mental health conditions with deep emotional and psychological roots. They often go unnoticed, as many young people hide their symptoms. Our clinic is committed to raising awareness and providing specialized care that combines medical, psychological, nutritional, and family support".

She went on to explain that a standout feature of the program is its integration of allied health professionals who play a crucial role in each patient's recovery. Dietitians offer tailored nutritional support to help adolescents, and their families reach treatment goals, while psychologists address underlying issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and body image concerns.

Social workers, she added, also work closely with families to address relational dynamics that may be contributing to the disorder, reinforcing the importance of trust and support throughout the healing process.

Dr. Kamal emphasized that the program also has an inpatient service for adolescents requiring round-the-clock care and therapy. Patient management, for both outpatients and inpatients, is based on the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines.

In this context, Chair of Pediatric Medicine at Sidra Medicine, Dr. Al Hammadi said that Sidra Medicine witnessed many success stories. He affirmed that with more than 90 percent of our patients achieving long-term recovery, this program demonstrates that with comprehensive treatment and strong family involvement, adolescents can regain their health and lead fulfilling lives.

Dr. Kamal shared some advice and guidance for parents, if they are worried about their children's eating habits, early detection is extremely crucial when it comes to eating disorders. Which is why it is important to work together with the family because this collective work can make a difference in their child's life.

Physicians stress the importance of early detection of eating disorders, along with the commitment to balanced and proper nutrition to strengthen growth, health and emotional health.

They likewise underscored the importance of family meals to further enhance communication and provide an organized environment.

(QNA)