The treatment for bulimia which is the compulsion for food and followed by vomiting should involve the patient and his family, including psychotherapy, group therapies, drug use, and nutritionist-oriented dietary re-education, because the greatest fear and resistance to treatment is the fear of gaining the sensation of not being able to stop eating.
At the onset of bulimia, especially when the patient does not feel sick and believes that inducing vomiting can help him to lose weight, he tries to hide the signs of the disease and can not see the harm he can cause until the vomiting is out of control even preventing him from eating an entire meal without vomiting.
It is therefore important for friends and family to be alert to signs of changes in eating behavior at the onset of the disorder because the treatment for bulimia may take weeks to make the patient establish a healthier relationship with food and in the longer term it is possible cure of the disease.
The cure of bulimia often requires a treatment that involves taking anidepressants, psychologists and nutritionists.
Psychotherapy
Treatment with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is the main way to assess feelings and learn to think differently to face situations and feelings that may be related to eating.
In addition, therapy sessions will also be aimed at understanding the patient's personal relationships or difficult times like loss of loved ones or major changes in personal or professional life, in order to strengthen family relationships and with friends, who may be able to provide support to overcome bulimia.
However, extra care is often needed when the bulimic patient has signs of suicidal propensity or self-mutilation, and may need to be hospitalized to prevent further damage to the body.
Medicines
The doctor may also prescribe antidepressant medications, such as Fluoxetine, to help in the emotional control of the disease.
After 2 to 10 weeks of use of the medication, it is important to return to the doctor to evaluate the effects of the medication and adjust the dose given, remembering that antidepressants are contraindicated in cases of epilepsy, heart, kidney or liver problems.
Nutrition monitoring
Nutrition monitoring is done to clear questions about food and calorie foods, showing how to make healthy food choices to favor weight control or weight loss without putting health at risk, because normally those who have bulimia maintain a weight within normal or slightly above your ideal weight.
Thus, a diet plan is prepared by the nutritionist to provide all the nutrients essential to the proper functioning of the body, respecting the preferences and lifestyle of the patient and calories enough to not gain weight.
The treatment of bulimia should involve health professionals, and way to avoid complications of bulimia when the disease is not soon controlled.
