Use of antidepressants alone, without structured psychotherapy, is less effective than psychotherapy alone or therapy with antidepressants. A 6-month trial of cognitive therapy or interpersonal therapy, either individual or group, has the best track record for effective treatment of bulimia. These types of therapy are described below. Antidepressants may play an important helping role in bulimia when several months of therapy alone has not been effective. Antidepressants are particularly useful for patients who have prominent depressive symptoms, but by no means only for them.
Antidepressants are effective in bulimic patients who have no depressive symptoms, as well.
Antidepressants help some patients become receptive to psychotherapy, where they were not before. Note that while Prozac has gotten massive press, there are many other antidepressants that are equally effective, have a longer track record, and are much cheaper. Don't pressure your doctor to give you Prozac. Prozac's main benefit is that it tends to have fewer side effects. If side effects on longer-established antidepressants are too unpleasant, you can always considering then going to Prozac.