Eating disorder treatments consist of a combination of medication and therapy to treat conditions such as anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating.

An eating disorder is diagnosed when a person either eats extremely little, overeats constantly, or has great anxiety over food and their body.http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/eating-disorders/complete-index.shtml Most people with eating disorders feel like they need to have complete control over their eating patterns. However, the behavior of every patient with an eating disorder is classified as 'out of control' no matter how much they think they have a handle on it.http://www.eatingdisorder.org/about_eating_disorders/types_of_disorders/anorexia.phphttp://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/eating-disorders/complete-index.shtml

The causes for eating disorders are mostly unknown, although there may be a genetic predisposition for anorexia.http://www.eatingdisorder.org/about_eating_disorders/types_of_disorders/anorexia.phphttp://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/eating-disorders/complete-index.shtml

• For anorexia, treatment typically involves counseling and medication. .http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/ken98-0047/default.asp#6 Therapy can be done in an in-patient setting or out-patient setting, depending on the severity of the case. This portion of the treatment is dedicated to working out the issues that created the eating disorder. Medications such as antidepressants or other mood stabilizers can also be a helpful form of treatment, and may accompany psychotherapy or in-patient treatment. Some anorexia patients must be hospitalized if their weight loss has been severe, or their mental state has been compromised.http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/eating-disorders/complete-index.shtml

• Bulimic patients undergo some of the same therapeutic treatment as anorexics, and may also meet with a diet or nutrition counselor.http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/eating-disorders/complete-index.shtmlProzac is sometimes successful in treating bulimia, as well as group therapy.http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/ken98-0047/default.asp#6

• Overeating, or binge eating, can be treated in a similar manner to bulimia. Antidepressants are normally utilized, and will treat the depression that may accompany this disorder.http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/eating-disorders/complete-index.shtml