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

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