In the case of anorexia, medications help reduce the obsessive behaviors so that patients may gain body weight. While medication helps level chemical imbalances, psychotherapy helps patients to understand and change their negative thoughts and behaviors. Treatments often include a combination of individual psychotherapy, family therapy and group therapy. During individual psychotherapy, patients learn to recognize the thoughts and feelings that trigger negative behaviors, and new ways to respond to those thoughts and feelings. Family therapy helps families understand the disorder and become involved in the patient's recovery.
Group therapy brings patients together to share experiences and draw support from one another.
Treatment of eating disorders can be highly successful. But it is critically important to recognize the disorder, begin treatment as soon as possible, and stick with the treatment. How Family and Friends Can Help. The most important thing family and friends can do for a person with an eating disorder is to help him or her get treatment. This may involve encouraging the patient to stay with the treatment, going with the patient to the doctor, or even monitoring whether the patient is taking medication.