Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Adolescents With Bulimia

Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Adolescents With Bulimia Nervosa

We are interested in studying two different psychological treatments for eating disorders for adolescents (ages 12-18). The study is designed to help adolescents who are having problems with binge eating and/or purging. The treatment consists of 14 sessions of approximately one-hour each over about three months.

Interested adolescents will have a phone screen and then come in for an in-person psychiatric evaluation. If eligible and interested, they will be randomly assigned to 4 months of outpatient treatment (free of charge) that is either 1) cognitive-behavioral therapy or 2) supportive psychotherapy.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Current or prior DSM IV diagnosis of Bulimia Nervosa or Sub-threshold Bulimia Nervosa (those who meet all DSM-IV criteria for BN, but engage in subjective binge-eating episodes and binge/purge at a frequency of at least once per week for 3 months, whereas meeting full DSM-IV criteria for BN requires binge eating and purging twice per week for 3 months)
• Major Depression

Exclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of bipolar disorder, current psychosis, drug or alcohol abuse in past 3 months, acute suicidal risk, major depression producing significant functional impairment, significant medical illness, weight outside of normal weight range.