Treating Compulsive Eating Disorder

People with compulsive eating disorder should get help from a health professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or clinical social worker.

 

There are several different ways to treat compulsive eating disorder, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, interpersonal psychotherapy, and drug therapy.

 

This type of therapy teaches people with compulsive eating disorder how to keep track of their eating and change their unhealthy eating habits. It teaches them how to change the way they act in tough situations. It also helps them feel better about their body shape and weight.

 

This type of therapy helps people look at their relationships with friends and family, and make changes in problem areas.

 

Medications, such as antidepressants, may be helpful for some people with binge eating disorder.

 

The methods mentioned here seem to be equally helpful. Researchers are still trying to find the treatment that is the most helpful in controlling compulsive eating disorder. Other therapies being tried 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; and self-help. Self-help books, videos, and groups have helped some people to control their binge eating.