Recent developments in treatments for eating disorders

Eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), binge-eating disorder (BED), and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), are serious psychiatric illnesses treated primarily with psychotherapy focusing on eating behaviors. Pharmacotherapy is recommended when psychotherapy is insufficient or unavailable, or when medication treatment is preferred by the patient. Differing psychotherapeutic approaches are used depending on the illness. Family-based treatment has demonstrated utility in adolescents with AN and BN. Eating disorder-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is consistently helpful in individuals with BN and BED. Adaptations of CBT appear promising for the treatment of ARFID. Only two medications have received FDA approval for the treatment of eating disorders - fluoxetine for BN and lisdexamfetamine for BED. Existing treatments are not universally effective, and relapse rates are still elevated among those who do respond to treatment. Psychotherapies such as the habit-interrupting REACH ​+ ​for AN and biological treatments including neuromodulation techniques that target specific brain regions implicated in the development and maintenance of eating disorders warrant further study.