Which type of treatment is most appropriate for a patient with bulimia nervosa?

Last reviewed: 14 Nov 2022

Last updated: 18 Aug 2022

Summary

Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder, characterized by severe preoccupation about weight and body shape. Includes recurrent episodes of binge eating with compensatory mechanisms, such as self-induced vomiting to prevent weight gain.

Most common in women in their 20s and 30s.

Patients usually appear physically normal, although they may have low self-esteem and depressive thoughts, as well as lack of confidence.

Parotid hypertrophy and erosion of the teeth are the most common physical signs and may prompt diagnosis.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is considered optimal primary treatment for bulimia, but it may not always be available.

Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) may be used adjunctively to CBT, or as an alternative when CBT is not available.

Treatment of comorbid psychiatric disorders, such as major depressive disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder, is necessary to optimize the chance of recovery from bulimia nervosa. SSRIs are effective in additional treatment of comorbid psychiatric disease.

Definition

Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating, followed by behaviors aimed at compensating for the binge. Binge-eating episodes are characterized by eating an amount of food that is definitely larger than most people would eat in a similar period of time under similar circumstances, and a sense of lack of control over eating during the episode.[1] Recurrent inappropriate compensatory behaviors occur in order to prevent weight gain. These behaviors include self-induced vomiting; fasting; excessive exercise; and misuse of laxatives, diuretics, enemas, or other medication. Binge-eating episodes typically occur, on average, at least weekly for 3 months.[1]

History and exam

Key diagnostic factors

  • recurrent episodes of binge eating
  • recurrent inappropriate compensatory behavior
  • eating disturbance not exclusively during periods of anorexia nervosa
  • depression and low self-esteem
  • concern about weight and body shape
  • dental erosion
  • parotid hypertrophy
  • Russell sign
  • arrhythmia

More key diagnostic factors

Other diagnostic factors

  • age 20-35 years
  • menstrual irregularity
  • drug-seeking behavior
  • deliberate misuse of insulin
  • self-injurious behavior
  • gastrointestinal symptoms
  • history of dieting
  • marked fluctuations in weight
  • shoplifting behavior
  • use of ipecac
  • needle marks on skin
  • vomiting in pregnancy

Other diagnostic factors

Risk factors

  • female sex
  • personality disorder
  • body image dissatisfaction
  • history of sexual abuse
  • impulsivity
  • family history of alcoholism
  • family history of depression
  • family history of eating disorder
  • childhood overweight or obesity
  • exposure to media pressure
  • early onset of puberty
  • urbanization
  • family history of obesity

More risk factors

Diagnostic investigations

1st investigations to order

  • serum electrolytes
  • serum creatinine
  • serum magnesium
  • urine pregnancy test
  • serum LFTs
  • serum creatine kinase (CK)
  • CBC
  • urinalysis

More 1st investigations to order

Investigations to consider

  • ECG
  • serum ferritin
  • serum B12
  • serum red blood cell folate
  • dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scan for bone density

More investigations to consider

Treatment algorithm

nonpregnant adults

children and adolescents

pregnant

Contributors

Authors

Debra L. Safer, MD

Associate Professor

Co-Director of Stanford Eating and Weight Disorders Program

Stanford University School of Medicine

Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences

Stanford

CA

Disclosures

DLS is an author of a reference cited in this topic.

Acknowledgements

Dr Debra L. Safer would like to gratefully acknowledge Dr David C.W. Lau and Dr C. Laird Birmingham, the previous contributors to this topic.

Disclosures

DCWL declares that he has no competing interests. CLB is an author of several references cited in this topic.

Peer reviewers

Mimi Israel, MD, FRCPC

Chair of Psychiatry

McGill University

Quebec

Canada

Disclosures

MI declares that she has no competing interests.

Joel Yager, MD

Professor

Department of Psychiatry

University of New Mexico School of Medicine

Albuquerque

NM

Disclosures

JY is an author of a reference cited in this topic.

  • Which type of treatment is most appropriate for a patient with bulimia nervosa?
  • Differentials

    • Other specified feeding or eating disorder (OSFED), or unspecified feeding or eating disorder (UFED)
    • Anorexia nervosa, binge-eating/purging subtype
    • Binge-eating disorder

    More Differentials

  • Guidelines

    • Practice guideline for the treatment of patients with eating disorders
    • Eating disorders: a national clinical guideline

    More Guidelines

  • Patient leaflets

    Bulimia: what is it?

    Bulimia: what treatments work?

    More Patient leaflets

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What is considered the treatment of choice for bulimia nervosa?

The primary treatment for bulimia often combines psychotherapy, antidepressants, and nutritional counseling. It is helpful to find a psychologist or psychiatrist experienced in dealing with eating disorders.

Which therapy appears to be most effective for treating bulimia?

Controlled studies have shown cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to be the most effective treatment for adults with bulimia and binge-eating disorder.

What is the first

Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and behavior therapy (BT) are first-line treatment and the most often used types of psychotherapy for bulimia nervosa. In general, CBT has several components, each equally important to break the cycle of unhealthy thoughts and behaviors and replace them with positive, healthy behaviors.

Which class of drugs is widely used to treat bulimia nervosa?

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI antidepressants) are the most studied medication for the treatment of bulimia nervosa and are generally well-tolerated by patients.