There are a variety of bulimia treatment options, depending on the severity of the bulimia as well as personal preference. Many people with bulimia choose to use several forms of treatment to combat the emotional, physical and psychological parts of the disease.

A Doctor
Telling a primary care physician or finding a therapist is often the first step in receiving treatment. These are good places to start because the doctor or therapist can asses the needs of the bulimic patient and help them decide what to do next.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is considered among the best and quickest options for treatment. It helps patients to change thought patterns and behaviors that may be irrational. The patient tries to replace the irrational thoughts and behaviors with positive thoughts and behaviors. CBT is effective in about one third to half of patients, which is high for one type of treatment. 

Interpersonal Psychotherapy
Interpersonal Psychotherapy is as effective as CBT, but may not be as quick. Interpersonal psychotherapy works with a patient whose bulimia is affected by personal relationships. A patient can undergo interpersonal psychotherapy individually or in a family setting.

Family Therapy
There are a couple of ways that family treatment can go. In some forms of family therapy, the dynamics of the family and how they affect the bulimia are the focus. In other forms, family members are taught how to help the patient deal with the bulimia and situations that may affect the bulimia.

Educational Approach
This type of therapy informs and educates women about nutrition and explains how nature and genetics define our body type and weight. The educational approach helps women explore the social aspects of the disease: the reasons why women feel pressure to be thin and diet. The educational approach works best with women with mild symptoms of bulimia.

Medication
Medication is used to treat bulimia when depression or anxiety play a role in the disease. Some doctors also use medication to try to treat the bulimia itself, although research thus far has not proven this to be effective in the long term.

Hospitalization
Hospitalization is used when a patient is in danger of doing serious harm to him or herself, either through the disease or intentional self-harm. It may also be used if a patient is suffering from severe depression or drug or alcohol abuse.