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Overall, eating disorder treatment is becoming increasingly important as the numbers of people diagnosed with illnesses such as bulimia and anorexia continues to rise.
The two illnesses are quite different: -
Bulimia is characterized by cycles of eating too much in a short period of time (binge-eating), followed by feelings of shame because of the overeating. Bulimics then find ways of ridding themselves of the food by vomiting, taking laxatives or diuretics, excessive exercise, fasting, or a combination of these.
Click here for more on eating disorder treatments for bulimia.
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Anorexia present quite differently. Anorexics have a distorted notion of their body shape and image, seeing themselves as too fat no matter how thin they are, and thus try to avoid or limit eating and/or over-exercise. As a result they become very underweight.
Eating disorder treatments involve a number of different approaches: -
Healthy eating: Learning about healthy consumption patterns and sensible weight control is essential, so that patients can learn to enjoy three healthy meals per day.
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Drugs: Drugs such as Prozac are sometimes prescribed in the short-term, and these can help reduce bingeing and purging. There is no clear evidence that they provide effective long-term help for these issues, however.
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Therapy: There are various forms of talking therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) which are effective. In CBT patients can talk through issues that bother them - these are often what lies at the heart of their illness.
Other therapies include Interpersonal therapy (IPT), which examines their relationships with other people, and self-help groups, which provide the opportunity to talk to other people who have been through the same thing.
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