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

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.