What Is The Best Solution For Bulimics Suffering From Bulimia Nervosa?

Posted on August 25, 2009 
Filed under Bulimia and tagged ,

Psychological therapy and one on one counseling are recommended non-medicated treatment for bulimia. Only the most difficult cases and patients who are nonresponsive to the initial treatments require surgical treatment or hospitalization.

treatments for bulimia

The most popular treatments for bulimia is cognitive behavioral therapy. Since studies have shown that this treatment is effective in over 50 percent of the cases, this is frequently the first treatment of choice. Cognitive behavioral therapy includes nutritional counseling in order to prepare the patient for coping differently and prevent relapses in the future. Interpersonal therapy is another psychological treatment. This therapeutic method involves the emotional factors, such as depression, which can impact eating disorders. If the patient’s bulimia is in the early stages, and their health has not been severely compromised, it is helpful for support group therapy. Another treatment that might work is family therapy. Accounts of this treatment have been favorable in comparison to interpersonal therapy because an important agent of support – like family – is part of the method.

For patients exhibiting signs of depression, drugs for the treatment of bulimia is given. It is advised by the experts, though, that CBT, a psychological therapy, is done in combination with drugs. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors compose antidepressants. Other drugs are also given to patients such as those that prevent vomiting. Occasional anti-epileptic drugs are prescribed since tests have reflected that they can help with periods of binging and purging. B vitamin drugs that were originally prescribed for bipolar disorder and depression have been found out to benefit bulimic patients as well.

There are other treatments for bulimia as well that have been explored. But more studies must be done and it has not yet been proven that these treatments are effective in the majority of cases. Hypnosis, light therapy, guided imagery and acupuncture are some of the less traditional treatments.

Hypnosis as a treatment is more effective on women patients with bulimia, but those patients that have developed anorexia are resistant to this treatment. Light therapy is used when there is an association between bulimia and seasonal affective disorder in the patient. But, the desired results are due to the decrease in depression and not the elimination of binge-purge behavior in bulimic patients. In contrast, research has shown that guided imagery causes a nearly 75% reduction in binging and purging. In this method, the patient listens to audiotapes where images are evoked that will help in achieving treatment goals. In acupuncture, points in the stomach are selected so that the qi is balanced and proper circulation of oxygen and blood is maintained. This remedial treatment operates on the assumption that lack of energy balance in the system leads to eating disorders. The treatment claims to release endorphins, aid in reducing stress, and strengthen the body’s endocrine and digestive systems.


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