Eating disorders require early, coordinated treatment from a team that includes medical providers, a registered dietitian, and mental health clinicians. Evidence-based psychotherapies - CBT-E for adults and family-based treatment for adolescents - plus medical stabilization and nutrition rehabilitation form the backbone of effective care. Medications can help certain symptoms, and telehealth and peer support broaden access.

Understanding eating disorders

Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses that affect eating behavior, physical health, and daily functioning. They include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder (BED). These conditions can be life-threatening and benefit from early, coordinated care.

Common types

Anorexia nervosa

Marked by restricted eating, intense fear of weight gain, and body-image distortion. It carries the highest medical risk among eating disorders and often requires medical monitoring.

Bulimia nervosa

Characterized by recurrent binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors such as self-induced vomiting, laxative use, or excessive exercise.

Binge-eating disorder (BED)

Involves recurrent binges without regular compensatory behaviors. BED is the most common eating disorder in many settings.

Causes and triggers

No single cause explains eating disorders. Genetics, personality traits, biological factors, cultural pressure to be thin, stressful life events, and family dynamics can all play roles. Differences in emotion regulation, perfectionism, and negative body image commonly contribute.

Treatment: a multidisciplinary model

Effective care usually combines medical, nutritional, and psychological treatment. Teams typically include a medical provider, a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN), and a mental health clinician experienced in eating disorders. For adolescents, family-based treatment (FBT) is a first-line, evidence-based approach that engages parents in refeeding and recovery.

Psychotherapies that work

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - Enhanced (CBT-E): Widely used for adults with bulimia and BED to change eating patterns and the thoughts that maintain them.
  • Family-Based Treatment (FBT): Focuses on parental support and is effective for many adolescents with anorexia.
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Helps with emotion regulation and reduces binge/purge behaviors in people with high emotional distress.
Therapy plans are individualized; some people benefit from a combination of approaches.

Medical and nutritional care

Medical stabilization is essential when weight loss, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, or other complications occur. Nutritional rehabilitation guided by an RDN restores healthy eating patterns and addresses myths about food and weight. Medications have a role: for example, fluoxetine (an SSRI) can reduce binge-purge behaviors in bulimia, and lisdexamfetamine may be considered for moderate-to-severe BED. Medication is typically one component of a broader treatment plan.

Support, settings, and technology

Care can occur in outpatient clinics, day programs, residential treatment centers, or hospitals depending on severity. Telehealth and online-supported therapies have expanded access since the 2020s and can be effective when delivered by qualified clinicians. Peer support groups and recovery communities complement clinical care but are not substitutes for evidence-based treatment.

When to seek urgent help

Seek immediate medical attention for fainting, rapid heart rate, severe dehydration, suicidal thoughts, or inability to eat or drink. Early intervention improves outcomes.

Recovery is often gradual. With coordinated care, many people restore health and rebuild a positive relationship with food and their bodies.

FAQs about Eating Disorder Treatments

What are common warning signs of an eating disorder?
Warning signs include drastic weight change, preoccupation with food or calories, frequent bingeing or purging, rigid food rules, withdrawal from social activities, and physical problems such as dizziness or irregular heartbeat.
Which therapies have the strongest evidence?
Enhanced Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT-E) has strong evidence for bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder in adults. Family-Based Treatment (FBT) is a first-line approach for many adolescents with anorexia nervosa. Treatment is individualized based on age and severity.
Do medications help with eating disorders?
Medications can reduce certain symptoms. For example, fluoxetine can help reduce binge-purge behaviors in bulimia nervosa, and lisdexamfetamine is approved for moderate-to-severe binge-eating disorder. Medications are usually combined with psychotherapy and nutritional care.
Can I use telehealth or online support?
Yes. Telehealth has become an effective option for therapy and medical follow-up when provided by qualified teams. Online peer support and moderated groups can offer encouragement but should complement, not replace, clinical care.
When should I seek emergency care?
Get urgent care for fainting, chest pain, rapid or irregular heartbeat, severe dehydration, electrolyte disturbances, or suicidal thoughts. Severe medical complications require immediate medical monitoring.

News about Eating Disorder Treatments

Adults in England with eating disorders wait up to 700 days for treatment, report finds - The Guardian [Visit Site | Read More]

Treatment of eating disorders: an umbrella review - Folkehelseinstituttet - FHI [Visit Site | Read More]

New clinical research network holds promise for advancing eating disorder treatment - King's College London [Visit Site | Read More]

Eating disorders: Young woman from Bristol said she was 'let down' - BBC [Visit Site | Read More]

Binge Eating Disorder: Plea for specialist services in Northern Ireland - BBC [Visit Site | Read More]

Do we need novel treatments for anorexia nervosa? A patient perspective - Cambridge University Press & Assessment [Visit Site | Read More]