Bulimia therapy
Because chronic clinical depression often accompanies bulimia, treatment usually includes giving selective antidepressant drugs that restore normal levels of serotonin, a brain chemical instrumental in mood control and appetite. The most commonly prescribed drugs for bulimia are the serotonin-reuptake inhibitors like fluoxetine (Prozac), which also suppresses appetite, and sertraline (Zoloft). As patients recover from their depression, they are better able to control their compulsive eating. Two drugs that were originally developed for epilepsy, Topamax and Zonegran, also show promise for eating disorders.
Psychotherapy may be an option. It can take several forms, including family and group therapy, as well as cognitive behavioral therapy to help the patient shift the central focus of her life away from food. Bulimics also learn to recognize the warning signs of a binge and how to deal with stress or situations that make them vulnerable to binges.
Participation in self-help groups can also be useful. In addition, alternative therapies, such as meditation, guided imagery, and progressive relaxation routines, can help patients become less obsessive about weight and their eating habits.
