Nutritional Rehabilitation
- Establishing a pattern of regular, non-binge meals
- Improving attitudes related to the eating disorder
- Encouraging healthy (but not excessive) exercise
- Resolving co-occurring conditions, such as mood or anxiety disorders.
The following forms of therapy have been reported to be effective:
- Individual psychotherapy (especially cognitive-behavioral or interpersonal psychotherapy)
- Group psychotherapy that uses a cognitive-behavioral approach
- Family or marital therapy.
Psychotropic medications, primarily
antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (
SSRIs), have been found to be helpful in binge
eating disorder treatment, particularly in those with significant
symptoms of depression or
anxiety, or those who have not responded adequately to psychosocial treatment alone. These medications also may help prevent a relapse.
The Future of Binge Eating Disorder Treatment
The methods mentioned here for treating binge
eating disorder seem to be equally helpful. Researchers are still trying to find the treatment that is the most helpful in controlling
binge eating disorder.
Additional treatment methods are currently being tried. These include:
- Dialectical behavior therapy, which helps people regulate their emotions
- Drug therapy with the antiseizure medication topiramate
- Weight loss surgery (gastrointestinal surgery)
- Exercise used alone or in combination with cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Self-help (including books, videos, and groups).
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