Researchers at the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) analyzed data from 1980 onward and found that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), rather than medications, helped prevent relapse in adult patients.
However, they were unable to conclude whether CBT is effective before a patient's weight is restored to normal.
The study determines that family therapy does not appear to work for adults who've had the disease for a long period of time.
Health Day News reports the study also found that drugs and behavioral therapies can help people with bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder.
In one study, the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine helped treat bulimia.
Dr. Carolyn M. Clancy, AHRQ director, says in a statement, "These findings underscore the need to learn more about the causes of these frightening and poorly understood illnesses and to find effective treatments."
