[Guidelines and recommendations in the treatment of eating disorders]

The importance of eating disorders is increasing in the psychiatric practice, underlined by the epidemiological data and the severity of these disorders. In the treatment several approaches can be found, and some of these are controversial. Following the rules of evidence-based medicine an increasing number of guidelines were published. Eating disorders are prevalent and often show a serious course, the guidelines summarizing the recent knowledge in the literature are very useful for the therapists. The present guideline aims to help the everyday practice. It overviews the principles of the treatment of eating disordered patients, the steps of diagnostics, and the therapeutical methods. Many basic and practical techniques are also presented. It discusses the skills which are necessary for the treatment of eating disorders, and the therapeutical traps as well.