Treatment FAQ

how to treatment bulimia medical

by Magali Breitenberg Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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What is the initial step in the treatment of bulimia?

  • Intensive outpatient programs: Weekly individual and group therapy programs
  • Partial hospitalization: Medical professionals monitor your symptoms more closely while offering support for your medical and psychological health
  • Residential programs: Available for those who don’t respond to outpatient or partial hospitalization

More items...

What are some cure methods for bulimia?

Here are some suggestions:

  • Ask your child what you can do to help. For example, ask if your teenager would like you to plan family activities after meals to reduce the temptation to purge.
  • Listen. Allow your child to express feelings.
  • Schedule regular family mealtimes. Eating at routine times is important to help reduce binge eating.
  • Let your teenager know any concerns you have. ...

How to help someone recover from bulimia?

  • Focus on your therapy. Your bulimia treatment program will likely involve a great deal of therapy. ...
  • Take medications, as required. ...
  • Eat when hungry, and stop when full. ...
  • Be open and honest about your recovery. ...
  • Be aware of signs of relapse. ...
  • Cultivate your joy. ...
  • Plan ahead. ...

What is the best antidepressant for bulimia?

What Sorts of Medications Are Available for Bulimia Treatment?

  • Common Medication Choices. Mayo Clinic reports that there is only one medication that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of bulimia.
  • Working with Medications. While it’s easy to understand why medications might be a good choice for some people, they are not the right choice for all people.
  • A Good Choice. ...

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How do you treat a patient with bulimia?

What Is the Treatment for Bulimia? The primary treatment for bulimia often combines psychotherapy, antidepressants, and nutritional counseling. It is helpful to find a psychologist or psychiatrist experienced in dealing with eating disorders.

What is the best medication for bulimia?

Prozac is the only medication approved by the FDA for the treatment of bulimia. But your doctor might use other medications “off label” to help, including Zoloft and Paxil. Most clinicians agree that participating in a therapy program is one of the best ways to address bulimia.

What is the first goal for treatment for patients with bulimia nervosa?

The goals of treatment are as follows: Reduce and, where possible, eliminate binge eating and purging. Treat physical complications and restore nutritional health. Enhance patients' motivation to cooperate in the restoration of healthy eating patterns and participate in treatment.

Which treatment is most effective for clients diagnosed with bulimia?

How is bulimia nervosa treated?Psychotherapy: Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a type of individual counseling. ... Nutritional counseling: Nutrition counseling involves learning healthier ways to eat. ... Medication: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are a type of antidepressant.More items...•

How can bulimia be treated or prevented?

To treat bulimia, your doctor will consider your physical and psychological needs. Your treatment may include counseling and medications. Often, it involves a team of medical, nutritional, and mental health professionals. They'll try to help you restore your health and healthy eating patterns.

Can bulimia nervosa be treated if diagnosed early?

Bulimia can be treated with psychological counseling and sometimes medicines, such as antidepressants. The sooner treatment is started, the better. Getting treatment early can make recovery easier and prevent serious health problems.

Which of the following medical problems is associated with bulimia nervosa?

Negative self-esteem and problems with relationships and social functioning. Dehydration, which can lead to major medical problems, such as kidney failure. Heart problems, such as an irregular heartbeat or heart failure. Severe tooth decay and gum disease.

How do you diagnose bulimia?

The criteria used to diagnose bulimia include:recurrent binge eating.regular purging through vomiting, excessive exercise, misuse of laxatives, or fasting.deriving self-worth from weight and body shape.binge eating and purging that happens, on average, at least once a week for 3 months.not having anorexia nervosa.

What is the nursing diagnosis of bulimia?

Nursing Diagnosis Nursing diagnoses for clients with eating disorders include the following: Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements related to purging or excessive use of laxatives. Ineffective coping related to inability to meet basic needs. Disturbed body image related to being excessively underweight.

How does Prozac help bulimia?

Prozac has proven to reduce binge-purge cycles in bulimia. Antidepressant medicines may reduce episodes of binge eating in those who have binge eating disorder, and they may help with related depression or anxiety. Antidepressants regulate brain chemicals that control mood.

Do antidepressants help bulimia?

While commonly used to treat major depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder, and other chronic conditions, antidepressants have become an effective part of treatment for bulimia.

Does Topamax help with bulimia?

Topiramate, which is approved for treatment of epilepsy and prophylaxis of migraine, has been shown consistently to reduce weight in several placebo-controlled obesity trials. It has also been shown to be effective in treating bulimia nervosa in a randomized controlled trial (RCT).

Does Prozac help with overeating?

Types of Antidepressants Used to Treat Binge Eating Disorder Serotonin helps boost mood. SSRIs used for binge eating include: fluoxetine (Prozac) paroxetine (Paxil)

What is luxury treatment for bulimia?

Luxury and executive treatment facilities for bulimia and other eating disorders are similar to other residential treatment programs. The person lives at the facility, and there is 24/7 medical supervision and support.

What is bulimia nervosa?

Bulimia nervosa, more commonly referred to as bulimia, is a serious and potentially life-threatening eating disorder. Professional treatment is often necessary to overcome the disorder. Those with bulimia may receive a combination of therapeutic approaches, such as psychotherapy (individual or group counseling), family therapy, ...

What is the best treatment for eating disorders?

Antidepressants, antipsychotics, and/or mood stabilizers can help treat both the eating disorder and any co-occurring mental illnesses, such as anxiety and depression. 6 Medications are usually combined with some form of therapy.

What is family based treatment?

Family-based treatment – This approach helps parents learn how to monitor their adolescent’s eating until the child demonstrates improvement. The goal is for the parents to take responsibility for their child’s eating disorder. 5.

How can I improve my body image?

Alternative therapies – Yoga, meditation, and tai chi can help promote a positive body image and help the person learn healthy coping strategies. Other activities such as hobbies and extracurricular activities can also boost self-esteem and encourage healthy lifestyle changes.

What are the health issues that can be treated in a hospital setting?

A hospital treatment setting can treat health issues such as abnormal heart rate or blood pressure, inability to regulate temperature, electrolyte imbalance, and malnutrition. 4 A doctor will help you decide the most appropriate treatment for your health needs.

Can you recover from bulimia?

Yes, it is possible to recover from bulimia, particularly when the person receives appropriate treatment under the supervision of a healthcare professional. Studies have shown that about 50% of people with bulimia can recover after treatment, 30% can have a partial recovery, and about 20% may continue to show symptoms of bulimia. 1.

What is the best way to diagnose bulimia?

An important element for diagnosing bulimia is the individual's story of how she or he is feeling. A health care professional will also do a physical exam and may recommend blood tests to check for problems associated with vomiting or laxative use.

What is the cause of bulimia?

Eating disorders such as bulimia tend to be caused by a mix of physical and emotional problems. Treatment usually aims to address all of these problems by: helping the individual understand and change harmful thought patterns related to bulimia.

How do you know if you have bulimia?

Symptoms of bulimia include: extreme concern over body weight or body shape. eating large quantities of food over a short period, often in secret. binge eating followed by self-induced vomiting; use of laxatives, diuretics, enemas or suppositories; fasting or severe dieting; or excessive exercise.

What is bulimia nervosa?

Bulimia: Symptoms, diagnosis and treatments. Bulimia nervosa, often called bulimia, is an eating disorder. Individuals with bulimia eat large amounts of food in a relatively short time, often even when they aren't hungry. People with bulimia tend to feel out of control when eating and can't stop eating.

How often do people with bulimia binge?

People with bulimia may binge a few times a week or as frequently as several times a day. Most people with bulimia are female (85% to 90%) and the disorder usually begins between ages 15 and 20. There are two types of bulimia: purging bulimia. A person with this type makes herself or himself vomit after binging. nonpurging bulimia.

Can laxatives cause bulimia?

Overuse of laxatives can cause chronic gastrointestinal problems. Severe bulimia can lead to heart problems, and sometimes can be deadly. Some individuals have bulimia for a short time, such as during a stressful a stage of life. Others have it for many years.

Does bulimia medication work?

But medication generally doesn't work alone , and is best when combined with psychotherapy and other kinds of support. About a quarter of individuals with bulimia get better without treatment. With treatment, more than half improve.

What is the best treatment for bulimia?

The primary treatment for bulimia often combines psychotherapy, anti depressants, and nutritional counseling. It is helpful to find a psychologist or psychiatrist experienced in dealing with eating disorders.

How to help bulimics?

Body exercises such as yoga, tai chi, qigong, and dance can help bulimics with their problems of body image. Reprogramming mental processes to gain control over the binge-and-purge cycles is another approach. Either hypnotherapy or EEG biofeedback may help.

Can hypnotherapy help with bulimia?

Either hypnotherapy or EEG biofeedback may help. If you seek help here, be sure to ask hypnotherapists or biofeedback practitioners about their experience in treating eating disorders. And again, tell your doctor and other therapists about the care you get. Nutrition and Diet's Role in Bulimia Treatment.

How is bulimia treated?

Bulimia is primarily treated with nutrition therapy, psychotherapy (talk therapy), and in some cases medications. This article covers the various treatment options for bulimia. KatarzynaBialasiewicz / Getty Images.

How to get rid of bulimia?

Steer clear of anything that glorifies bulimia and eating and disorders, such as harmful groups and websites. Use a journal to keep track of your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, and watch for negative patterns that indicate you need to seek help. Stick to your treatment plan, even if you are feeling better.

What is CBT BN?

In 2004, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommended that an adaptation of CBT—called CBT-BN—be used for the treatment of bulimia. This treatment targeted bulimia specifically. 8.

What is bulimia characterized by?

It is characterized by repeated episodes of binge eating (eating a large amount of food in a relatively short amount of time) followed by purging (compensatory) behaviors such as self-induced vomiting, fasting, misuse of medications (laxatives, diuretics, diet pills, etc.), or excessive exercise. Bulimia is primarily treated with nutrition therapy, ...

How does FBT affect adolescent eating?

FBT takes the control and responsibility of the adolescent’s eating from the adolescent and transfers it to their parents. With this approach, parents are seen as attacking the disorder itself without being critical of the adolescent. As the treatment progresses, control is gradually shifted back to the adolescent.

Why do people with bulimia need hospitalization?

Reasons a person with an eating disorder such as bulimia may need hospitalization include: 1. Their weight is less than 75% of the estimated healthy weight for their age and height. A persistent, rapid decline in food intake or weight despite exercising all available outpatient treatments. An individual history of needing medical attention ...

What is the best treatment for bulimia?

Therapy, particularly cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), is the leading evidence-based treatment for bulimia. 2. Multiple therapies can be used concurrently, such as CBT and nutrition therapy, and may be combined with medication if necessary. Team members that might be involved in treatment for bulimia may include a: 3.

What is the best treatment for bulimia?

Family therapy. Children and young people will usually be offered family therapy . This involves you and your family talking to a therapist, exploring how bulimia has affected you and how your family can support you to get better. You may also be offered CBT, which will be the same as the CBT offered to adults.

How old do you have to be to recover from bulimia?

Treatment may take time, but you can recover from bulimia. Treatment for bulimia is slightly different for adults and those under 18 years old.

How many sessions of CBT are there?

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) If you are offered CBT, it will usually involve up to 20 sessions across 20 weeks. CBT involves talking to a therapist, who will help you explore emotions and thoughts that could be contributing to your eating disorder, and how you feel about your weight and body shape.

Can you stay home with bulimia?

Most people with bulimia will be able to stay at home during their treatment . You'll usually have appointments at your clinic and then be able to go home. However, you may be admitted to hospital if you have serious health complications, including: being very underweight. problems with your heart.

Can you brush your teeth after vomiting?

avoid brushing teeth immediately after vomiting so you do not wear away the enamel. do not drink or eat acidic foods, such as fruit juice, during a binge and after purging. Vomiting can also lead to risk of dehydration. To avoid this, make sure you drink plenty of fluids to replace what you have vomited.

Can you take fluoxetine for bulimia?

Medicine. Antidepressants should not be offered as the only treatment for bulimia. But you may be offered an antidepressant, such as fluoxetine (Prozac), in combination with therapy or self-help treatment, to help you manage other conditions, such as: anxiety or depression. social phobia.

What are the symptoms of bulimia?

Some clients find a kind of numbing or escape from problems or difficult feelings while they binge. Endorphins may be released during the pain of purging.

What are the physical effects of bulimia?

These may include tooth decay (from the rush of acidic stomach contents against the teeth), swollen salivary glands, and intestinal disorders, among other serious consequences. 8. Bulimia is a physical health issue as well as a mental health one.

How do bulimics and anorexics differ?

While both bulimic and anorexic clients often have extreme body distortion, the way they react to this is different. Anorexia nervosa sufferers starve themselves continually, whereas bulimics eat excessively in a short timeframe but then seek to purge the calories they’ve consumed, either through purposeful vomiting or the use of laxatives – or both.

Can a bulimic client exercise?

Both anorexic and bulimic clients may exercise excessively, and a subset of bulimics, known as non-purging bulimics, simply fast or exercise frantically after overindulging in a bid to make up for the huge amount of calories they consumed. 2 But usually (not always ),the bulimic client purges after gorging.

Can bulimia persist?

Sometimes symptoms persist even when causes have been dealt with.

Is bulimia nervosa an eating disorder?

Bulimia nervosa is perhaps the most common eating disorder. 1 Some clients may tell you they used to be anorexic but now they are bulimic (or vice versa), but while some people conflate the two disorders, they are different conditions.

What is the drug for binge eating disorder?

Medications. Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate (Vyvanse), a drug for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, is the first FDA-approved medication to treat moderate to severe binge-eating disorder in adults. A stimulant, Vyvanse can be habit-forming and abused. Common side effects include a dry mouth and insomnia, but more-serious side effects can occur.

How to deal with destructive eating?

Identify situations that may trigger destructive eating behavior so you can develop a plan of action to deal with them. Look for positive role models who can help lift your self-esteem. Remind yourself that the ultrathin models or actresses showcased in women's magazines often don't represent healthy, realistic bodies.

What tests are needed for binge eating?

These tests may include: A physical exam. Blood and urine tests. A sleep disorder center consultation.

What is the best way to stop binge eating?

Psychotherapy. Whether in individual or group sessions, psychotherapy (also called talk therapy) can help teach you how to exchange unhealthy habits for healthy ones and reduce bingeing episodes. Examples of psychotherapy include: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

How does CBT help with binge eating?

CBT may help you cope better with issues that can trigger binge-eating episodes, such as negative feelings about your body or a depressed mood. It may also give you a better sense of control over your behavior and help you regulate eating patterns. Interpersonal psychotherapy.

How to reinforce treatment plan?

But in addition to professional help, you can take these self-care steps to reinforce your treatment plan: Stick to your treatment. Don't skip therapy sessions. If you have a meal plan, do your best to stick to it and don't let setbacks derail your overall efforts. Avoid dieting, unless it's supervised.

Does topiramate help with binge eating?

Topiramate (Topamax), an anticonvulsant. Normally used to control seizures, topiramate has also been found to reduce binge-eating episodes. However, there are side effects, such as dizziness, nervousness, sleepiness and trouble concentrating, so discuss the risks and benefits with your medical care provider. Antidepressants.

What is the best medication for bulimia?

That medication is fluoxetine, sold under the brand name Prozac. This medication is a type of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor ...

Why do clinicians use medications?

But some clinicians do use medications as a way to augment the work their clients are doing in therapy. Some people find that the medications they take while in therapy help them to feel calm, collected, and in control. That could help these people to really recover from bulimia.

Can bulimia be purged?

Some people with bulimia create very elaborate rituals involving what they can eat, how they can eat, and how they can purge. They may feel as though they should handle every one of these steps in the same way, or something terrible will happen.

Is bulimia a mental illness?

That relief could be due, in part, to the fact that bulimia is often tied to undiagnosed mental illness. An article in Current Psychiatry suggests that depression, especially major depression, is considered a common co-occurring mental health disorder in people who have bulimia.

Does therapy help with bulimia?

Researchers found that therapy did a much better job. Studies like this demonstrate the real power of enrolling in a therapy program for bulimia. It is here that people can pick up skills they need in order to control bulimia for good. But some clinicians do use medications as a way to augment the work their clients are doing in therapy.

Can you eat too much on a med?

It is vital for people taking these medications to follow a meal plan as specified by a doctor. Eating too much or too little could impede the work of the medications, as might gaining or losing weight. People will need to attend to these issues carefully, so they can make the right decision for their bodies.

Is bulimia a good choice?

A Good Choice. People with bulimia have a great deal of choice when it comes to treatment and recovery. They could choose a program that includes medications, or they could look for programs that do not rely on any pharmaceutical support. Either option is valid. The real key is to get help.

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Diagnosis

  • If your primary care provider suspects you have bulimia, he or she will typically: 1. Talk to you about your eating habits, weight-loss methods and physical symptoms 2. Do a physical exam 3. Request blood and urine tests 4. Request a test that can identify problems with your heart (elect…
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Clinical Trials

  • Explore Mayo Clinic studiestesting new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition.
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Lifestyle and Home Remedies

  • In addition to professional treatment, follow these self-care tips: 1. Stick to your treatment plan.Don't skip therapy sessions and try not to stray from meal plans, even if they make you uncomfortable. 2. Learn about bulimia.Education about your condition can empower you and motivate you to stick to your treatment plan. 3. Get the right nutrition.If you aren't eating well or y…
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Alternative Medicine

  • Dietary supplements and herbal products designed to suppress the appetite or aid in weight loss may be abused by people with eating disorders. Weight-loss supplements or herbs can have serious side effects and dangerously interact with other medications. Weight-loss and other dietary supplements don't need approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to go on th…
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Coping and Support

  • You may find it difficult to cope with bulimia when you're hit with mixed messages by the media, culture, coaches, family, and maybe your own friends or peers. So how do you cope with a disease that can be deadly when you're also getting messages that being thin is a sign of success? 1. Remind yourself what a healthy weight is for your body. 2. Resist the urge to diet or skip meals, …
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Preparing For Your Appointment

  • Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment, and what to expect from your health care team. Ask a family member or friend to go with you, if possible, to help you remember key points and give a fuller picture of the situation.
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