Treatment FAQ

what treatment will be doctor recommend for my severe bulimia

by Santino Robel Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Antidepressants may help reduce the symptoms of bulimia when used along with psychotherapy. The only antidepressant specifically approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat bulimia is fluoxetine (Prozac), a type of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), which may help even if you're not depressed.May 10, 2018

Medication

  • 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. ...

Therapy

  • 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

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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?

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. ...

What is the initial step in the treatment of bulimia?

What are some cure methods for bulimia?

What is the best antidepressant for bulimia?

What is the most effective treatment for bulimia?

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) remain the most established treatments for bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder, with stepped-care approaches showing promise and new behavioral treatments under study.

What doctor helps with bulimia?

A psychiatrist is a medical practitioner who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of mental, emotional and behavioral disorders. Psychiatrists can: Assess someone with an eating disorder to diagnose various disorders. Develop treatment plans that help to treat the disorder.

What do psychiatrists do for bulimia?

Group cognitive behavioral therapy. Your psychologist or other mental health professional may ask you to do homework, such as keep a food journal to review in therapy sessions and identify triggers that cause you to binge, purge or do other unhealthy eating behaviors.

What is considered severe bulimia?

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 are the dangers of bulimia is not corrected?

Cardiac complications (irregular heartbeat and heart failure stemming from electrolyte imbalances such as potassium, sodium, and chloride) Dehydration. Edema (stemming from periods of purging cessation) Ulcers, pancreatitis.

What health problems does bulimia cause?

Bulimia can permanently damage your stomach and intestines, causing other problems like constipation, diarrhea, and irritable bowel syndrome. Hormonal problems. Reproductive issues, including irregular periods, missed periods, and fertility problems are common side effects when you have bulimia.

Does bulimia show in blood tests?

There aren't any laboratory tests to specifically diagnose bulimia. Your healthcare provider may order tests to see how bulimia has affected your health. These tests include: Blood test.

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.

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.

How long can you live with bulimia?

Roughly 50% of women will recover from bulimia within ten years of their diagnosis, but an estimated 30% of these women will experience a relapse of the disorder. These behaviors can wreak havoc on the body both in the short-term and the long-term.

Can your body recover from bulimia?

If treated swiftly and correctly, individuals are able to experience recovery and healing, along with the reversal of most, but not all, of the physical consequences. However, without professional treatment, bulimia nervosa may be life-threatening.

What are the root causes of bulimia?

Emotional stress, substance abuse, and the influence of social media are sociocultural factors known to contribute to the development of bulimia nervosa.

Diagnosis

Clinical Trials

Lifestyle and Home Remedies

Alternative Medicine

Medically reviewed by
Dr. Abhimanyu Chandak
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 (elect…
See more on mayoclinic.org

Preparing For Your Appointment

  • Explore Mayo Clinic studiestesting new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition.
See more on mayoclinic.org

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