Bulimia Treatment

Developing a Bulimia Treatment Plan

In most cases, a patient suffering from bulimia is treated with a combination of interpersonal and/or family therapy, nutrition education, and medication.

Psychotherapy is an essential part of any successful bulimia treatment plan. A therapist helps the patient address the depression, anti-social behaviors, or obsessive-compulsive tendencies that may be contributing to his/her binging and purging. Therapists also help bulimia patients work through issues associated with childhood sexual abuse or other specific traumas that may have had a negative affect on body image and self esteem.

Nutrition education helps people suffering from bulimia develop healthy eating patterns. For example, many bulimia treatment programs recommended that patients who struggle to recognize the physical signs of hunger plan to eat small meals every three hours. Nutritional therapy also helps to restore gastrointestinal health, stabilize blood sugar levels, and address dietary deficiencies. For example, many bulimia patients suffer from zinc deficiencies that can alter the sense of smell, taste, and appetite.

Researchers have found that fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) often sold under the brand name Prozac, is an effective bulimia treatment. Phenytoin and carbamazepine may also be used to help reduce the frequency of a patient’s binging episodes. However, it’s important to realize that prescription medication is only used as part of a complete treatment program. Bulimia is a complex illness that cannot be “cured” with medication alone.

Alternative Treatments

Although the research on alternative treatments for bulimia is relatively new, there are several promising therapies that patients may wish to try. For example, herbalists have had success using the following herbs to restore normal digestion, decrease anxiety, and alleviate stress in bulimia patients:

• Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)
• Oatstraw (Avena sativa)
• Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora)
• Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)
• Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra)

Homeopathy, acupuncture, and massage are other alternative bulimia treatments that you may wish to consider. In addition, some doctors believe that yoga, tai chi, and meditation may also be used to reduce stress and improve the patient’s body image. If you are interested in using alternative therapies to treat your eating disorder, discuss your options with your healthcare provider.

Follow-up Care

Unfortunately, bulimia is a disease that requires lifelong treatment. Since relapse is fairly common, it’s important monitor the patient’s weight, exercise habits, and mental health on a regular basis.

Female bulimia patients who wish to become pregnant will need extensive follow-up care to deliver healthy babies. The nutritional deficiencies caused by repeated binging and purging may have a negative impact on the unborn child. In addition, the physical and hormonal changes that take place during pregnancy can revive old struggles with body image and self esteem.

Additional Information

For additional information about bulimia treatment, check out the following resources:

• Bulimia information from the Mayo Clinic
• Eating Disorders Survival Guide
• National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders

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