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Social workers play an extremely important role in aiding individuals recovering from anorexia nervosa. One of the largest roles played by a social worker in helping an individual with anorexia is that of the dietician. “The dietician, as nutritional counselor in the treatment of anorexia nervosa, provides detailed nutritional and dietary behavioral information for the assessment and general management of patients with anorexia nervosa” (Touyz, 30). The initial hospital treatment for the individual constitutes re-establishing eating patterns and improving nutritional habits. One common misconception during the treatment of anorexia is that the individual with the disease is the only one that requires support. According to Eating Disorders: Prevalence and Treatment, “The treatment focus, therefore, is to integrate biological, psychological and family treatment and to modify treatment as experience dictates for individual patients” (Touyz, 14, 1985). Counseling services need to be provided for family and friends as well as the individual with anorexia. It is said that most patients that are treated for anorexia have eating habits that deteriorate soon after being released from the hospital that results in significant weight loss. “One factor in this regression is the continuing friction between the patients and their families over food and meals” (Touyz, 28). This probable situation needs to be addressed in all outpatient cases by a social worker. The most common way for a social worker to approach this area is through “family sessions that take place before discharge and a week or two after the patient has been discharged” (Touyz, 28). A desirable approach for a social worker to take is to talk with the patient and his/her family about their fears and uncertainties and to discuss the strategies that could be implemented to overcome them. Since the hospital stay has attempted to re-establish normal eating habits, it is important for the patient’s...