TR

Treatment of Eating Disorders

Overview

  • Drugs – primarily antidepressants
    • Generally ineffective for anorexia nervosa
    • SSRIs good for bulimia
  • Psychological treatments – usually cognitive behavioral therapy
    • Emphasis on core pathological mechanism: Distorted body image

Bulimia Nervosa

  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT-E)
    • Treatment of choice
  • Medical and drug treatments
    • Antidepressants
    • Can help reduce binging and purging behavior

Binge Eating Disorder

  • Previously used medications for obesity are now not recommended
  • Psychological treatment
    • CBT—effective
    • Interpersonal psychotherapy—equally effective as CBT
    • Self-help techniques—effective
    • IPT was effective for both rapid and nonrapid responders

Anorexia Nervosa

  • General goals and strategies
    • Weight restoration
    • First and easiest goal to achieve
    • Psychoeducation
    • Behavioral and cognitive interventions
    • Target food, weight, body image, thought, and emotion
    • Treatment often involves the family
    • FBT has the most support from clinical trials for treating adolescents with anorexia

Preventing Eating Disorders

  • Often focuses on promoting body acceptance in adolescent girls
  • Identify specific targets
    • Early weight concerns
  • Screening for at-risk groups (e.g. Sororities)
  • Provide education
    • Normal weight limits
    • Effects of calorie restriction