STRATEGIES OF INTERDISCIPLINARY INTERVENTION IN THE CARE FOR PATIENTS WITH EATING DISORDERS:PHRAMACOLOGICAL TREATMENT

Abstract

Eating disorders are psychiatric diseases with distinct presentations and well defined diagnostic criteria, characterized by marked perturbation in eating mode. In view of the severity of the disease an of the co-morbidities almost always associated, treatment is long and difficult for the patient, the family and the team, requiring adaptation to multiple forms of intervention such as ambulatory care, semi-hospitalization or even full hospitalization. In this respect, psychotropic medications serve as adjuvant within the context of multiprofessional and multidisciplinary intervention. In general, patients with anorexia and bulimia nervosa resist treatment with these medications because of their fear to gain weight and a disbelief in their efficacy. It is almost always necessary to negotiate the use of medication and the success of treatment depends on the ability of the doctor to choose the best time to recommend it and on how the doctor presents this modality of intervention. In anorexia nervosa, the objective of the use of psychotropic drugs is to aid the recovery of nutritional status and to reduce the mental symptoms that cause great discomfort. In bulimia nervosa, these medications are indicated in order to reduce the bulimic symptoms and to treat the associated psychiatric co-morbidities. The psychotropic medications commonly used are presented here. To guarantee better results and a successful treatment, patients with eating disorders should be treated in specialized services, usually located in tertiary care university hospitals, by qualified professionals who integrate well with team work.