Transition for Eating Disorder Youth intervention: Co‐producing an inclusive‐care model for young people transitioning from adolescent eating disorder services to adult care (TEDYi)
The Royal College of Psychiatrists and NHS England advocate for prioritising eating disorder transitions and improving discharge support, aiming to reduce relapse, optimise self‐efficacy, and enhance quality of life for young people.
The transition from Child and Adolescents Mental Health Service to adult services is a particularly high‐risk period for young people with eating disorders due to their vulnerability to change, which has been identified as a significant risk factor for relapse and poor treatment outcomes.
Young people with eating disorders during emerging adulthood are likely to experience additional transitions pertinent to residential, occupational, and developmental changes, identity reconstruction, change in therapeutic models from Child and Adolescents Mental Health Service to adult eating disorder services, which often increase the risk for social isolation.
Optimal transitional care with developmentally appropriate interventions has the potential to improve prognosis, in- crease engagement and provide ongoing support. Experience evidence‐based interventions can empower young people as well as their families, and those involved in service delivery by facilitating understanding of their roles and increasing self‐management of symptoms.
This study aims to develop a new intervention model Transitions for Eating Disorder Youth intervention (TEDYi) to support young people aged 16–18 years with anorexia nervosa and/or bulimia nervosa, and other comorbid mental health problems, and their families as they transition to adult care. This approach aims to reduce anxiety and increase self‐efficacy (symptom self‐ management) by building on existing skills and promoting hope.
We are in the process of developing the intervention collaboratively with young people, carers, and mental health professionals across six NHS participating sites, integrating their contributions during the co‐production phase.
