New therapeutic strategies for new eating disorders

Abstract

Introduction:

In previous studies, we have described a comparison of new eating disorders (permarexia, orthorexia, megarexia, vigorexia, selective eating ang binge eating), which appear and develop according to certain social and aesthetic canons, from a dynamic point of view. In this study, we advance through new therapeutic strategies which require some modifications in anorexia and bulimia classic protocols, at several levels.

Material and method:

A bibliographical overview since last 5 years of those emergent eating disorders and their treatment has been made

Medical magazines and publications, textbooks of psychiatry and more usual data bases (Medline, Embase) also have been reviewed.

We contribute as well with our current modified protocols, daily experience and healthcare assistance.

Results:

We make a review of new eating disorders: concept, profiles and main symptoms, emphasizing on new therapeutic strategies which are described from several points of view, such us pharmacologic, behavioral therapy, cognitive restructuring, work on self image and self concept.

We also emphasize the differential characteristics of each treatment for every new eating disorder.

Conclusions:

1. 1. New therapeutic strategies are necessary to include in the protocols of Psychiatric Units as frequency of new eating disorders is increasing.

2. 2. These strategies still must be focused on cognitive behavioural therapies, considering psychopharmacologic treatments mainly in case of comorbidity.

3. 3. Although they share the eating element, their origin and consequences are diverse, and this demands an adaptive change of therapeutic strategies we usually considered in our protocols.