What treatments are commonly used to address eating disorders?

• A. Surgery and chemotherapy
• B. Herbal remedies and acupuncture
• C. Watchful waiting
• D. Psychotherapy and Medication

Answer: (D)

Eating disorders are treated most effectively with a plan that addresses both mental health and physical health. Psychotherapy helps people change harmful thoughts and behaviors around food, weight, and body image, and it often includes approaches like cognitive-behavioral therapy or family-based therapy when appropriate. Medications can help manage co-occurring conditions such as depression or anxiety and may reduce troublesome eating patterns in some cases. Because these disorders are complex, care is usually multidisciplinary, incorporating nutrition guidance and ongoing medical monitoring in addition to therapy and, when needed, medications. Other approaches like surgery or chemotherapy aren’t used to treat eating disorders, and simply waiting to see if the problem resolves isn’t appropriate; while some complementary therapies may be used, they don’t replace the core combination of psychotherapy and medication.