Regular Article

Treatment of bulimia nervosa: Where are we and where are we going?

  1. James E. Mitchell MD1,2,*,
  2. Stewart Agras MD3,
  3. Stephen Wonderlich PhD1,2

Article first published online: 1 NOV 2006

DOI: 10.1002/eat.20343

Issue

International Journal of Eating Disorders

International Journal of Eating Disorders

Volume 40, Issue 2, pages 95–101, March 2007

Additional Information

How to Cite

Mitchell, J. E., Agras, S. and Wonderlich, S. (2007), Treatment of bulimia nervosa: Where are we and where are we going?. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 40: 95–101. doi: 10.1002/eat.20343

Author Information

  1. 1

    Neuropsychiatric Research Institute, Fargo, North Dakota

  2. 2

    Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Fargo, North Dakota

  3. 3

    Department of Psychiatry, Stanford University Medical School, Stanford, California

*Neuropsychiatric Research Institute, Fargo, ND

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 29 JAN 2007
  2. Article first published online: 1 NOV 2006
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 21 JUL 2006

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Keywords:

  • bulimia nervosa;
  • pharmaco therapy;
  • psychotherapy

Abstract

Objective:

The purpose of this article is to review the extant treatment literature on bulimia nervosa and to offer suggestions for future research directions.

Method:

The available treatment studies regarding both pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy are reviewed.

Results:

Both pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy appear to play a role in the treatment of bulimia nervosa; however, available data suggest that cognitive behavioral therapy remains the treatment of choice.

Conclusion:

Additional work is clearly indicated regarding assisted and unassisted self-help. An enhanced form of CBT and the integrative cognitive-affective therapy both deserve further study. New approaches need to be piloted. More research is needed on treatment modeling. © 2006 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2006

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