Treatment FAQ

what are the treatment options for bulimia

by Joshua Balistreri Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Medication

Medication for Bulimia Prozac (Fluoxetine) is the only FDA-approved medication for the treatment of bulimia. Medication for Comorbidities with Bulimia Medication may also be prescribed for comorbid diagnoses like mood and/or anxiety disorders. Psychiatric and Therapeutic Treatment Methods for Bulimia

Therapy

Alternative bulimia treatments can also be essential tools to use alongside your conventional therapy. Some include: Acupuncture – balances energy and creates internal balance. Aromatherapy – which uses specific herbs to promote health and internal balance.

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Apr 01, 2022 · Medications for Bulimia Treatment Another treatment sometimes used in conjunction with therapy is prescription medications, specifically antidepressants. Fluoxetine (brand name Prozac) is approved by the FDA to treat bulimia. Antidepressants have been shown to be useful in some people by reducing binging and purging urges.

What are some cure methods for bulimia?

Jul 16, 2019 · If you want to encourage someone to seek professional help for their bulimia, then you need to understand what bulimia treatment options are available. Traditionally, bulimia is treated with a combination of psychotherapy and medication. Medication . Typically, psychiatrists prescribe antidepressants to treat bulimia. Doctors have found that antidepressants can help …

Is it truly possible to recover from bulimia?

What sorts of medications are available for bulimia treatment?

What is the best antidepressant for bulimia?

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What is the treatment of choice 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.May 17, 2021

What are 3 treatments for bulimia?

Bulimia is primarily treated with nutrition therapy, psychotherapy (talk therapy), and in some cases medications. In order to find the best bulimia treatment for you or a loved one, speak with a healthcare provider.Jun 2, 2021

What type of treatment is most effective for individuals with bulimia nervosa?

Cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal psychotherapy remain most efficacious for treatment of adults with bulimia nervosa, and treatment delivered in a stepped-care approach may be promising.

Is bulimia curable or treatable?

Bulimia is difficult to cure. Many people improve, but some may relapse from time to time. In addition, some people who are considered "cured" continue with less-than-normal eating patterns throughout their lives.Oct 19, 2021

What happens if you leave bulimia untreated?

If left untreated, bulimia can result in long-term health problems such as abnormal heart rhythms, bleeding from the esophagus due to excessive reflux of stomach acid, dental problems, and kidney problems.Jan 23, 2022

Why does Prozac help bulimia?

Prozac is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). 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.

What is the prognosis for bulimia nervosa?

Some individuals improve at first but then relapse and need treatment again. Statistics show that approximately half of all persons with bulimia will fully recover with appropriate treatment, another 30% will experience a partial recovery and 10% to 20% will continue to battle symptoms.Dec 12, 2019

What are 3 warning signs of bulimia?

What are the Warning Signs of Bulimia?Episodes of binge eating.Self-induced vomiting.Smelling like vomit.Misuse of laxatives and diuretics.Complaining about body image.Expressing guilt or shame about eating.Depression.Irritability.More items...•Oct 16, 2021

Is bulimia face permanent?

After a prolonged period of regular eating, the parotid glands will most likely return to their original state. Once they are no longer required to produce excessive amounts of saliva, they are able to adapt and shrink.

What is considered severe bulimia?

Symptoms of Severe Bulimia Nervosa (BN) Severe bulimia nervosa (BN) is defined as 8–13 binge/purge episodes per week), and extreme bulimia nervosa involves 14 or more binge/purge episodes per week. Unhealthy preoccupation with weight loss, body weight and shape; significant body image distortions.

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 nutrition counseling?

Nutrition counseling. Those with more severe or long-term struggles with bulimia, as well as those with comorbid psychiatric disorders, may benefit from the additional support and supervision provided in a residential, inpatient recovery program.

What is outpatient rehab?

Outpatient rehab centers typically offer psychotherapy (either individual or group), nutrition counseling, family therapy, support groups, and/or medication. They are part-time programs in which you attend a treatment center according to a set schedule.

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.

Can eating disorders be treated in hospital?

Those who are suffering from severe malnutrition and dehydration in association with their eating disorder might first need a period of hospitalization to stabilize their condition. A hospital treatment setting can treat health issues such as abnormal heart rate or blood pressure, inability to regulate temperature, electrolyte imbalance, and mal nutrition. 4 A doctor will help you decide the most appropriate treatment for your health needs.

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 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 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, ...

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 the Maudsley approach?

FBT (also called the Maudsley Approach) is used mostly with adolescents and children. It involves the whole family, especially the parents, in the treatment plan. 9. The premise of FBT is that the adolescent with bulimia is not in control of their behavior, but rather the condition controls them.

What is the goal of a healthy diet?

The goal of a healthy diet is to eat a variety of nutritious foods from different food groups, without deprivation. What constitutes a “balanced diet” varies between studies, experts, and the individual. One sample guideline to follow is to break down food consumption into thirds: 6.

How to stop relapse?

To help stay on track during treatment and prevent a relapse: Keep a strong support system of people who help you in your recovery and want the best for you.

How to recover from bulimia?

Recovery from bulimia is a marathon, not a sprint. Changing ingrained bingeing/purging behaviors is hard and you’ll need support. It begins with careful, controlled stabilization.# N#The initial focus in bulimia treatment is to achieve medical and psychiatric stabilization. While many patients suffering with bulimia are a normal weight at the time of admission, some may require weight restoration in addition to other stabilization efforts.#N#Our medical experts understand the urgent need to safely “detox” from bulimia and purging behaviors. Patients that cease purging will often experience abdominal pain and constipation after stopping their laxatives or significant edema, resulting in weight gain. The edema is a consequence of chronic severe volume depletion from loss of fluids (Pseudo-Bartter’s Syndrome). This syndrome is severely worsened by overuse of a rapid infusion of IV saline fluids used in most medical settings (for treatment of low blood pressure, dehydration, hypokalemia and alkalosis), creating a potentially dangerous scenario for patients.#N#As your body begins to heal, then your team at our eating disorder treatment center can begin to help you through the process of healing and lead you to recovery.

Is eating recovery center accredited?

Eating Recovery Center is accredited through the Joint Commission. This organization seeks to enhance the lives of the persons served in healthcare settings through a consultative accreditation process emphasizing quality, value and optimal outcomes of services.

Finding Your Bulimia Treatment

It is not difficult to locate the right bulimia treatment for you, but it may take a little work before you find just the right thing that will work for you.

Eating Disorder Treatment Centers

In- patient or outpatient treatment centers are excellent ways to put your bulimia nervosa treatment in the hands of caring professionals who can tailor a comprehensive program to suit your needs.

Eating Disorder Support Groups & 12 Step Programs

Hundreds of support groups exist across the country and around the world. The largest group, Overeaters Anonymous, is based upon the 12 step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous.

Bulimia Self Help Treatments

There are several self-help treatments that can be powerful adjuncts to conventional therapy. Here are a few:

Alternative Bulimia Treatments

Alternative bulimia treatments can also be essential tools to use alongside your conventional therapy. Some include:

You can overcome your eating disorder

Whatever methods you chose as your bulimia treatment, with compassionate and nurturing professional guidance you will absolutely be able to overcome your eating disorder.

What is the best treatment for bulimia nervosa?

One of the most common forms of therapy used as part of bulimia nervosa treatment is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT aims to teach patients new skills that shift their ideas about eating and body image, effectively targeting the mental and behavioral aspects of bulimia nervosa.

What is the best medication for bulimia?

Another treatment sometimes used in conjunction with therapy is prescription medications, specifically antidepressants. Fluoxetine (brand name Prozac) is approved by the FDA to treat bulimia. Antidepressants have been shown to be useful in some people by reducing binging and purging urges.

What is the most common eating disorder?

Along with anorexia nervosa and binge eating disorder, bulimia nervosa is one of the most common eating disorders.

Can a counselor help with bulimia?

Beyond simply serving as someone to open up to, a counselor can help you develop coping methods to handle your bulimia triggers without acting on them.

What are the goals of CBT?

Goals of CBT include changing one's perception of their eating disorder symptoms, changing thought patterns related to eating disorder behavior, improving patients' mood and feelings about their lives, and teaching patients how to tackle daily problems without resorting to any bulimia-related behaviors.

Is CBT good for bulimia?

While every person is different, CBT is considered a very effective bulimia nervosa treatment method . However, bulimia is a life-long battle, and people do typically need ongoing counseling to prevent relapses even after completing a CBT course.

What type of therapy is used for bulimia nervosa?

Another type of therapy sometimes used for bulimia nervosa patients is interpersonal therapy (IPT). As you may be able to tell from the name, IPT focuses on one's interpersonal skills. Specifically, IPT involves taking a closer look at the patient's relationships with others and how these relationships impact their mental and emotional health.

What is the best treatment for bulimia?

Professional counseling is another traditional bulimia treatment. Most commonly, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) will be the best option for someone with an eating disorder. CBT involves discussing your self-esteem and eating habits with a mental health professional who will help you replace your negative beliefs and behaviors with positive ones.

How to tell if you have bulimia?

People with bulimia will also have physical symptoms like: 1 Unusual swelling in the cheeks or jaw 2 Bloating due to fluid retention 3 Calluses on the back of the hands and knuckles from self-induced vomiting 4 Stained/discoloration in the teeth 5 Bad breath

Why do I binge when I have bulimia?

With bulimia, a person essentially binges as a way to cope with negative feelings that come with mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. But then they feel guilty and try to purge the food they just ate, exercise excessively to counteract the calories, or starve themselves as compensation.

Is bulimia a hereditary disease?

Other studies suggest that serotonin levels also have something to do with emotional eating. Bulimia, anorexia, and binge eating disorder can also be hereditary, meaning that someone is more likely to develop an eating disorder if they have a close family member who has one.

Can you take Prozac for bulimia?

Doctors have found that antidepressants can help treat some of the symptoms of this eating disorder. The FDA has even approved fluoxetine, a.k.a. Prozac, as a bulimia treatment.

Does TMS help with OCD?

However, studies show that this treatment may also help reduce the symptoms of bulimia and binge eating disorder. Since eating disorders are closely associated with compulsive behaviors (like those found in OCD) and mood disorders like depression, it’s no wonder TMS shows promise in treating bulimia and binge-eating disorder.

Is bulimia a life threatening condition?

Bulimia, also known as bulimia nervosa, is a serious and potentially life-threatening eating disorder . This condition is characterized by a cycle of binge eating followed by purging (via self-induced vomiting, laxatives, and/or diuretics) or other compensatory behaviors like excessive exercise, fasting, and the use of diet pills.

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Diagnosis

Clinical Trials

Lifestyle and Home Remedies

Alternative Medicine

Your provider will work with you to develop a care plan that may include one or more of these treatment options.
Treatment consists of antidepressants, counseling, medication and nutrition education.
Medication

Antidepressants: Reduce certain symptoms.

Fluoxetine

Therapy

Psychotherapy:Behavioral therapy helps alter associated habits and cognitive therapy helps change underlying negative thoughts.

Specialist to consult

Psychotherapist
Specializes in using psychological methods rather than medical means to treat mental disorders.
Psychiatrist
Specializes in the branch of medicine concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness.
Nutritionist
Specializes in the subject of nutrition and advises on matters of food.
Primary care physician
Specializes in the acute and chronic illnesses and provides preventive care and health.
Dieticians
Specialize in the nutritious diet and patient's food habits.

Coping and Support

  • 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 (elec
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Preparing For Your Appointment

  • Explore Mayo Clinic studiestesting new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition.
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In-Patient Hospital Care

  • 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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Therapies

  • 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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Prescription Medications

  • 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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Lifestyle

  • 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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Summary

A Word from Verywell

  • 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 1. Psychiatrist 2. Psychologist 3. Dietitian 4. Family therap…
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