Evaluating Accessible Treatments for Bulimic Eating Disorders in Primary Care

Abstract

Bulimic Eating Disorders (including bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder) are unfortunately common problems among Australian females. The scope, morbidity and chronicity of these disorders combine to make them important women's health problems. Surprisingly, while these are distressing and disruptive conditions, research suggests many sufferers are not receiving treatment despite the existence of effective psychosocial treatments. Therefore, increasing access to care is a critical contemporary issue in improving health outcomes for sufferers of these conditions. This paper discusses identified barriers to the receipt of treatment and recent refinements to existing evidence based treatments, namely, the development of Cognitive-Behavioural self-help treatment manuals and their application in the treatment of Bulimic Eating Disorders. The potential benefits of Guided and Unguided Self-Help in overcoming barriers to care are outlined and research examining the efficacy of these approaches for the treatment of Bulimic Eating Disorders reviewed. Methodological limitations of previous research indicate that the clinical utility of these approaches, particularly for bulimia nervosa, are unclear. However, previous encouraging findings and the potential benefits of these approaches support further research into the wider evaluation of these approaches particularly in primary care settings. A trial in progress is outlined and the implications of positive findings for major stakeholders discussed.