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The pharmacological management of bulimia nervosa: A critical review
Author(s) -
Mitchell Philip B.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
international journal of eating disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.785
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1098-108X
pISSN - 0276-3478
DOI - 10.1002/1098-108x(198801)7:1<29::aid-eat2260070104>3.0.co;2-x
Subject(s) - bulimia nervosa , neurochemical , antidepressant medication , antidepressant , psychiatry , psychology , psychotherapist , psychological intervention , anorexia nervosa , placebo , relapse prevention , eating disorders , depression (economics) , medicine , anxiety , alternative medicine , neuroscience , pathology , macroeconomics , economics
Although antidepressant medications appear to offer a promising short‐term treatment for bulimia nervosa, the effectiveness of these agents has yet to be definitively demonstrated. Their value in long‐term treatment is even less clear, with high relapse rates occurring on withdrawal of medication and frequent changes of drugs being required over time. Data from double‐blind, placebo‐controlled studies indicate that they are unlikely to act by treatment of any underlying depression. Other possible clinical and neurochemical actions in bulimia are discussed. As yet, there have been no comparative treatment studies to guide the clinician in the choice between pharmacological and psychological interventions for subjects with bulimia nervosa.