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Supporting a Family Member with Medication Management
Contributor: Courtney Howard, BA, writer for Eating Disorder Hope
There is no “miracle pill” to cure an individual of all disordered thoughts and behaviors. However, prescription medication is often recommended for symptom management of co-occurring depression, anxiety, or related issues in individuals with eating disorders. Supporting a loved one through medication management can help him or her stay on the right track toward recovery.
Why medication can be important in ED treatment
It is helpful to understand the relationship between prescription drugs and eating disorders before aiding a loved one with medication management. Though not always prescribed, medications can supplement psychotherapy for the treatment of eating disorders and provide many benefits to the individual.
Fluoxetine, or Prozac, is the only prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of bulimia nervosa. Years of data and research have found that Prozac is effective in reducing episodes of bingeing and vomiting in this population.
As a 2005 article [1] by Kiranmai Gorla, M.D., and Maju Mathews, M.D., confirms, “Patients with bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder benefit significantly from pharmacotherapy.”
According to a 2009 article [2] in Nature Reviews Neuroscience, individuals with anorexia have an “altered serotonin and dopamine metabolism.” Though only FDA-approved for the treatment of bulimia, Prozac is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), a class of antidepressant has also proven effective in the treatment of anorexia in concurrence with psychotherapy.
Anti-anxiety medications, such as benzodiazepines, and other prescription drugs can also be beneficial for the management of symptoms related to anorexia and co-occurring disorders.
SSRIs, anti-seizure drugs, and appetite suppressants can reduce symptoms in individuals with binge eating disorder (BED). Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate, or Vyvanse, was approved by the FDA in January 2015 for the treatment of BED.
The FDA reports that Vyvanse can reduce the frequency of binge eating episodes and behaviors in those with BED, which is now included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) as a mental health disorder.
Reducing the stigma at home
Without the management of symptoms, whether they be related to co-occurring conditions, eating disorder behaviors, or both, psychotherapy and other forms of treatment are less effective. Medication can help with this symptom management and improve an individual’s chances at recovery.
However, prescription drugs for the treatment of mental health disorders are still highly stigmatized, making many individuals hesitant to seek pharmaceutical help.
Loved ones can encourage an individual to maintain a medication plan prescribed by his or her psychiatrist by making it clear that there is nothing wrong with taking prescription drugs when they are needed. Reducing this stigma, even if just in the household or community, can make an individual feel more comfortable taking medication.
Psychiatric drugs can be taken anywhere from on an “as needed” basis to daily for years. This range depends on the individual and his or her specific conditions, and should not be judged by a family member or loved one.
Individuals are often hesitant to begin prescription medication out of fear that use will be long-term and/or affect his or her personality. It is encouraged that patients speak their truths and voice any concerns so they can be addressed by a psychiatrist or other mental health professional.
It is not a family member’s job to assume this responsibility, though he or she can act as a liaison in communicating these fears with the individual’s treatment team, if so desired by the patient.
Knowing what role to play
It can be difficult for loved ones to see an individual going through eating disorder treatment, so it might be tempting to feed into a family member’s anxiety regarding medications or go along with his or her decision to stop cold turkey. Instead, family members can validate these feelings while encouraging their loved one to stick to the medication plan in place.
People who do not want to take prescription drugs can be creative in finding ways to hide them or spit them out when a loved one is not looking. Family members are encouraged to not take this personally, but instead promote a healthy attitude toward recovery and whatever means is needed to reach it.
At the end of the day, it is an individual’s decision whether he or she will take medication as prescribed for symptom management. That being said, family and loved ones can create a stigma-free atmosphere regarding prescription drugs and a safe space for a dialogue on fears and concerns.
Community Discussion – Share your thoughts here!!
Have you utilized medication in your eating disorder recovery? What was your experience? What advice do you have to share?
References
[1]: Gorla, K., & Mathews, M. (2005). Pharmacological Treatment of Eating Disorders. Psychiatry (Edgmont), 2(6), 43–48.[2]: Kaye, W., Fudge, J., & Paulus, M. (2009). New insights into symptoms and neurocircuit function of anorexia nervosa. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 10 (8), 573-584.
About the Author: Courtney Howard is a Certified Life Coach specializing in eating disorders through Lionheart Eating Disorder Recovery Coaching. As a content writer at The Sovereign Health Group while writing freelance through Eating Disorder Hope, Courtney is a passionate advocate for recovery and works to fight the stigma surrounding all mental health disorders. She graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) from San Diego State University, holds a paralegal certificate in Family Law, and is a Certified Domestic Violence Advocate.
The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective of eating disorders. These are not necessarily the views of Eating Disorder Hope, but an effort to offer discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.
We at Eating Disorder Hope understand that eating disorders result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. If you or a loved one are suffering from an eating disorder, please know that there is hope for you, and seek immediate professional help.
Last Updated & Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on December 21, 2015
Published on EatingDisorderHope.com
