[Bulimia nervosa--therapeutic possibilities with emphasis on cognitive behavioral therapy]

The author pays attention to recent trends in the treatment of bulimia nervosa, he discusses problems of therapeutic methods and hospital treatment. Special attention is paid to ambulatory and cognitive behavioural therapy. The author emphasizes its integrating character due to the complexity of the problem of eating disorders. The latter are becoming one of the most serious health and social problems of adolescent women not only in western Europe and the USA but also in this country. The author defines some principles of the cognitive behavioural approach in ambulatory treatment of bulimia which is briefly described in the conclusion of the article. He reminds that it is always essential to take into account the grade of the disorder, the differential character of its psychosocial picture and the patient's needs. This should be matched by the offered therapeutic methods using different possibilities of in- and out-patient treatment. An essential prerequisite of treatment is not only detailed knowledge of the therapeutic method but also of problems associated with impaired food intake.