People with bulimia are rarely hospitalized unless they have other conditions that add to the health risk of bulimia — such as anorexia or major depressive disorder — or they require medication to address purging behaviors. Treatment typically follows a stepped approach based on severity and the individual's response to interventions.
Mild cases may benefit from support groups, and talk therapy and nutritional therapy are used to treat cases that don’t respond to support groups. Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are often combined with talk therapy. Even with treatment, many people will continue to have symptoms, but those who engage in therapy have a better prognosis.[1][2]