As a parent watching your child battle an eating disorder, it's natural to wonder whether the treatment approach you've chosen is actually working. Family-based treatment (FBT) has become the gold standard for adolescent eating disorders, but progress isn't always linear, and sometimes the signs of improvement can be subtle or confusing.

If your family is working with professionals through family-based treatment, you're likely spending a lot of time focused on meals, monitoring, and managing difficult emotions. But how do you know if all this hard work is paying off?

Here are 10 family-based signs that suggest your child's eating disorder treatment is on the right track, and what to do if you're not seeing these positive changes yet.

1. Early Weight Restoration (Within the First Month)

One of the strongest predictors of successful eating disorder treatment is early weight gain. Research shows that children who gain approximately 2-3 kilograms within the first month of family-based treatment have significantly better outcomes.

This isn't just about the numbers on the scale, early weight restoration indicates that your family's approach to supervised eating is working, and your child is beginning to comply with nutritional requirements despite their internal resistance.

If you're not seeing this early progress, don't panic. Some children take longer to respond, but it's worth discussing with your treatment team whether adjustments to your approach might be needed.

2. Improved Mood and Energy Levels

As your child's nutrition improves, you should notice gradual changes in their overall mood and energy. Malnutrition significantly impacts brain function, so as they begin eating more consistently, you might see:

• Less irritability, especially around meal times
• More energy for daily activities
• Improved ability to engage in conversations
• Reduced extreme emotional reactions

These changes often happen gradually over several weeks, so keep track of small improvements rather than expecting dramatic shifts overnight.

3. Better Sleep Patterns

Eating disorders often disrupt sleep, but as treatment progresses, your child's sleep should gradually normalise. Look for:

• Falling asleep more easily
• Sleeping through the night without food-related anxiety
• Waking up less exhausted
• More regular sleep and wake times

Poor sleep can perpetuate eating disorder symptoms, so improvements in this area often signal that your child's overall recovery is progressing.

4. Reduced Mealtime Battles and Resistance

In the early stages of family-based treatment, mealtimes are often extremely challenging. However, as treatment progresses, you should notice:

• Less arguing about food choices or portion sizes
• Reduced time needed to complete meals
• Fewer tears or emotional outbursts during eating
• Your child showing up to meals without being repeatedly called

This doesn't mean your child suddenly loves food again, but it suggests they're beginning to accept parental authority around eating, which is crucial for recovery.

5. Improved Cognitive Function and Concentration

One of the most significant impacts of malnutrition is on cognitive function. As your child's nutrition improves, you should see:

• Better focus during conversations
• Improved performance at school (if they're attending)
• Ability to engage in activities they previously enjoyed
• More rational thinking about food and body image

Remember, it's difficult for anyone to think clearly when they're undernourished. These cognitive improvements are often among the most encouraging signs for families.

6. Increased Social Engagement

Eating disorders tend to isolate young people from their friends and activities. Positive signs include:

• Showing interest in spending time with friends again
• Participating in family activities
• Engaging in conversations not related to food or weight
• Expressing interest in future plans or goals

Your child doesn't need to become completely social overnight, but any movement toward reconnection is encouraging.

7. Parents Feeling More Confident and Effective

Family-based treatment requires parents to take charge of their child's eating, which can feel overwhelming initially. Signs that treatment is working include:

• You feeling more confident about managing mealtimes
• Reduced anxiety about your child's eating
• Better communication between parents about strategies
• Feeling like you have effective tools to support your child

Parental self-efficacy is actually a strong predictor of treatment success, so your growing confidence matters enormously.

8. Child Showing Insight About Their Condition

As malnutrition improves, many young people begin to show more awareness about their eating disorder:

• Acknowledging that their thoughts about food might not be rational
• Expressing frustration with their eating disorder symptoms
• Showing concern about the impact on family members
• Occasionally challenging their own eating disorder thoughts

This insight doesn't happen immediately and may come and go, but it's an important sign of progress.

9. Gradual Return of Food Flexibility

In early recovery, food choices are typically quite rigid and supervised. As treatment progresses, you might notice:

• Your child can tolerate small changes to meal plans
• Less panic about eating in different settings
• Willingness to try foods they've previously avoided
• Beginning to eat without constant supervision (when appropriate)

This flexibility should develop gradually and under professional guidance, rushing this process can be counterproductive.

10. Sustained Progress Over Time

Perhaps most importantly, recovery involves sustained improvement rather than dramatic ups and downs. Positive signs include:

• Consistent weight maintenance or gain over several months
• Fewer "bad days" related to eating
• Improved ability to bounce back from setbacks
• Meeting treatment milestones set by your professional team

Research shows that more than 50% of young people who receive family-based treatment achieve full remission within a year, with only 10% experiencing relapse, significantly better outcomes than individual therapy approaches.

What If You're Not Seeing These Signs?

If your child isn't showing these positive indicators, please don't lose hope. Recovery timelines vary enormously, and some young people need longer to respond to treatment. However, it's important to:

Communicate openly with your treatment team about your concerns. They can help determine whether adjustments to the approach might be beneficial.

Consider additional support if needed. At Inspire Health and Medical, our experienced psychologists and child therapy specialists work with families across Croydon, Mitcham, and Lilydale to provide comprehensive eating disorder support.

Remember that trauma counselling might be beneficial if underlying trauma is complicating your child's recovery. Many eating disorders have complex origins, and addressing these factors can significantly improve outcomes.

Look after yourself as a parent. Family-based treatment is emotionally and physically demanding. Our family counselling services can provide crucial support during this challenging time.

Moving Forward with Confidence

Recovery from an eating disorder is rarely straightforward, but these signs can help you recognise progress and maintain hope during difficult periods. The most important thing to remember is that you're not alone in this journey.

If you're concerned about your child's progress or need additional support, our team of psychologists in Croydon and surrounding areas are here to help. We understand the unique challenges facing families dealing with eating disorders and can provide the specialised care your family needs.

Recovery is possible, and with the right support, most young people can and do recover completely from eating disorders. Trust the process, celebrate small victories, and don't hesitate to reach out for help when you need it.

This blog post is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. If you have concerns about your child's eating disorder treatment, please consult with qualified healthcare professionals. Inspire Health and Medical provides specialised eating disorder support across Melbourne's eastern suburbs.