Treatment of Bulimia Nervosa

Treatment for bulimia nervosa somehow depends upon its severity and factors causing this abnormal diet pattern. In most of the cases a combination of psychological therapies and medication is used to treat the eating disorder of bulimia. Such treatment pattern which involves medication and therapy can help reducing the factors behind disorder and minimizing the occurrence of binge and purge cycles. All these positive conditions lead towards eliminating this eating disorder successfully. 

Bulimia Nervosa and Other Physical and Psychological Problems

In some cases of bulimia nervosa patient also experiences other kind of disorders or physical problems either caused by bulimia or already present due to some other reasons. In such cases those problems are addressed first and after that it comes to treat bulimia. Like in some cases patient indulges in substance abuse, depression or anxiety disorder so these problems should be treated first before treating bulimia itself. Patient can also develop stomach problems or other physical imbalances due to which he has to be hospitalized for complete treatment. Therefore hospitalization could be an optional step in treating bulimia nervosa depending upon the presence of another problem in patient’s body.         

Treatment Pattern for Bulimia Nervosa

If it is proved clinically that patient is not suffering from any other type of physical or mental illness the treatment pattern for bulimia nervosa will comprise two treatment options:

1- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy 

 2- Medication

1- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy 

The first treatment option for bulimia nervosa involves applying behavioral therapies in which patient learns to cope with his disturbed state of mind. It helps to make and follow a proper diet plan in order to avoid binge and purge episodes. Moreover it makes patient think positively about his personality and looks instead of being depressed or insecure in this matter. In case if there exists some kind of lacking factor in patient’s personality it can be removed through continuous effort and struggle to make him as perfect and smart as possible. But all it need is a positive thinking pattern which is the main purpose of using cognitive behavioral therapy. Through this process patient learns to control his negative thinking, anger, depression, hunger and emotions successfully.

2- Medication

Along with applying behavioral therapies, psychiatrist also recommends using antidepressants to deal with depressed feeling develops along with bulimia nervosa. One of the most commonly used antidepressants for bulimia nervosa is fluoxetine which helps in reducing depressed feelings and facilitates the process of treatment.                 

Longer Recovery Period of Bulimia Nervosa

If someone really follows the right treatment pattern mentioned here then no reason left that could keep a patient from getting back to normal eating habits but remember that it can take time. Yes, it can take weeks, months or even more than a year to completely recover from this disturbed mental problem. The recovery time depends upon the severity of disorder and presence of another physical or mental problem along with bulimia, therefore one has to show patience and continuity in following the treatment plan rather than losing hope and becoming depressed by slow recovery process from bulimia nervosa.