Despite the increasing visibility and complexity of anorexia nervosa (AN) in Chinese societies such as Hong Kong, family treatment for Chinese children and youths suffering from AN has been inadequately documented in the literature. In this chapter, the author will describe conceptualization of the disorder in the light of a systemic and developmental framework; describe the process of contextualizing the symptoms of AN; identify critical issues pertinent to treatment success; and highlight the therapist’s roles in the healing journey of patients with AN, using a case illustration. More importantly, the author will critically appraise, through a cultural lens, key family therapy concepts, namely emotional enmeshment versus emotional disengagement, boundary and cross-generational collusion, which have restrained the parent/s and the patient to join hands together to drive away the disorder.
Part of the book: Eating Disorders