Rational therapy of eating disorders.

Pharmacological treatments are one of several strategies used in the treatment of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Many studies have found that antidepressants are effective in the treatment of bulimia nervosa and these drugs represent a mainstay of treatment for these patients. Over the past several years, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors have become perhaps the most commonly used class of drugs. A variety of medications have been investigated for anorexia nervosa, but there is little consistent evidence that medications are effective. In both these illnesses it is important to diagnose and treat any comorbid conditions including mood and anxiety disorders; this may involve the administration of other medications, including anxiolytics such as benzodiazepines or buspirone or mood stabilising agents such as lithium, valproic acid (valproate sodium) or carbamazepine.