Background: Currently, psychopharmacologic treatments for eating disorders require as much art as science. In this workshop, the science and art of managing medication use in patients with eating disorders will be presented, including review of the evidence base and discussion of strategies for addressing the pharmacologic opportunities in eating disorders.
Presentation Outline:
I. Medications for Eating Disorders
A. General Principles
B. Concerns
II. Anorexia Nervosa
A. Antidepressants
1. Rationale
2. Studies/Results
B. Antipsychotics
1. Rationale
2. Studies/Results
C. Comorbidities
II. Bulimia Nervosa
A. Pharmacotherapy for Reduction of Binge/Purge Episodes
B. Pharmacotherapy for Comorbidities
III. Binge Eating Disorder
A. Definition
B. Pharmacotherapy
C. Treatment Recommendations
The search for effective medications to treat Anorexia Nervosa has been disappointingly elusive. There is slightly more evidence to guide the pharmacologic interventions available for the treatment of Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorder, but the evidence is limited. Currently, psychopharmacologic treatments for eating disorders require as much art as science. In this workshop, both the science and art of managing medication use in patients with eating disorders will be presented. Drs. Vinter and Bermudez will review the evidence base and discuss strategies for addressing the pharmacologic opportunities in eating disorders, addressing co-morbid psychiatric conditions, and addressing intrusive symptoms that may interfere with effective treatment. Medications discussed will include antidepressants, antipsychotics and mood stabilizers/anticonvulsants. Treatment recommendations will be presented for Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and Binge Eating Disorder. Three cases that illustrate challenges and opportunities in psychopharmacologic interventions for eating disorders will be presented and discussed. We will encourage the audience to participate and share their experiences.
Ovidio Bermudez, MD, FAAP, FSAHM, FAED, CEDS, Board Certified in Pediatrics/Adolescent Medicine is the Medical Director of Child & Adolescent Services at Eating Recovery Center in Denver, Colorado. With academic appointments as Clinical Professor of Psychiatry/Pediatrics at University Of Oklahoma College Of Medicine, he co-founded both the Eating Disorders Coalition of Tennessee & the Oklahoma Eating Disorders Association and is a founding member of Houston Eating Disorders Specialists. A Fellow of AED, the Society for Adolescent Medicine & the American Academy of Pediatrics, he is Past Chairman of NEDA’s Board of Directors and Co-Chairs AED’s Hispano-Latino-American Chapter.
Dr. Anna Vinter is the Medical Director and adult psychiatrist for Summit Eating Disorders and Outreach Program’s Partial Hospitalization and Intensive Outpatient Programs. Her research focused on Psychogenic Nonepileptic Seizures, sparking a longstanding interest in psychological conditions with physical manifestations, including eating disorders. Dr. Vinter completed her Psychiatric Residency at UC Davis Medical Center. She has a wide variety of practice experience including university student health, women's substance abuse treatment, community mental health, private practice and inpatient psychiatric hospital settings. She holds a current appointment as Assistant Clinical Professor in the UC Davis Department of Psychiatry.
