Cognitive-behavioral therapy for bulimia: An initial outcome study.

Examined the efficacy of a cognitive-behavioral therapy for bulimia with 20 18–30 yr old bulimic females who were randomly assigned in equal numbers to either full- or brief-intervention therapy programs. Three Ss reported a previous history of anorexia nervosa; 3 of the Ss had previously received treatment for bulimia. The full intervention was based on a cognitive-behavioral conceptualization in which bulimia is viewed as a type of obsessive-compulsive problem, and it involved cognitive restructuring, exposure with response prevention, behavioral contracting, and process-oriented psychotherapy. Results indicate that the full-intervention Ss, relative to the brief-intervention Ss, substantially reduced the frequency of their bingeing-vomiting; improved their general psychological adjustment; and changed their attitudes about food, dieting, and their bodies. In addition, data collected in an actual eating situation demonstrated a dramatic reduction in the urge to vomit and level of discomfort for the full-intervention Ss. (42 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)