The treatment of eating disorders

Abstract

Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are common disorders among adolescent and young adult females, estimated to occur in up to 1% to 3% of these populations. A variety of medical and psychological approaches have been used in their treatment, including hospitalization; nutritional rehabilitation; medications; and psychodynamic, behavioral, cognitive-behavioral, family, and group psychotherapies. The author discusses controlled and uncontrolled studies of the different therapeutic approaches that have been used in these disorders and reviews what is known about their prognosis. Important treatment issues include the nature of the disorder, age, degree of malnutrition, motivation, capacity to engage in treatment, personality disturbance, affective state, family situation, and available treatment resources. Based on research data and clinical lore, prudent suggestions for treatment planning are presented.