How Should Bulimia Nervosa in Adolescents Be Treated?

In randomized, controlled trials, family therapy was superior to individual therapy for adolescents with anorexia nervosa, but no controlled treatment studies have been reported for teens with bulimia nervosa. In this British study, 85 adolescents with bulimia nervosa or eating disorders not otherwise specified (a more broadly defined diagnosis) were randomized to family therapy (FT; ≤13 sessions plus 2 individual sessions over 6 months) or to therapist-supported, self-guided, manual-based, cognitive-behavioral therapy (10 weekly sessions, 3 monthly follow-up sessions, and 2 sessions with a “close other”).

Mean age was 17.6 years, and mean illness duration was 2.5 years; 34% of patients were taking antidepressant medications. Contrary to hyp…