Normalization of eating behavior, reduction of binge eating and countermeasures (e.g. vomiting, use of laxatives) are just some of the treatment goals for bulimia.
Further treatment goals are:
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) seems to be the treatment method with more success; this treatment targets the following aspects, among others:
In some cases, antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are used – in addition to psychotherapy.
The Clinic for Consultative Psychiatry and Psychosomatics at the USZ has had a Center for Eating Disorders (ZES) with a correspondingly high level of treatment competence and quality for over 20 years.
The Clinic for Consultative Psychiatry and Psychosomatics at the USZ has had the Center for Eating Disorders (ZES) for over 20 years, with a correspondingly high level of treatment competence and quality.
In the special consultation for eating disorders, detailed assessments, consultations and treatments are carried out. Depending on capacity, treatments are offered in-house or by colleagues in private practice who work closely with us. Therapies can be individualized according to the patient’s wishes, with the involvement of relatives or other important caregivers. Treatments are carried out according to the latest evidence-based and patient-oriented therapy standards.
People with anorexia often have a strong urge to exercise and do a lot of sport. On the other hand, eating disorders are among the most common psychological problems and illnesses in competitive sport.
As part of the Centre for Eating Disorders, we offer specialized psychiatric-psychotherapeutic assessment, counselling and treatment for competitive athletes who suffer in particular from an eating problem and/or sports addiction.
Our ward has 14 beds and is looked after by our interdisciplinary team of doctors, psychologists, nurses, nutritionists, movement, art and occupational therapists. The interdisciplinary treatment program is primarily intended for people with severe anorexia and, more rarely, severe bulimia, for whom outpatient therapy is not sufficient. Inpatient treatment is voluntary and follows preliminary outpatient consultations and a tour of the ward.
The department is a place where patients feel comfortable and can gain new experiences. Treatment should be an important step towards finding a way out of a difficult life situation. Inpatient therapy is also there to help you break away from ingrained behavior patterns in a supportive environment.
The treatment program consists of the following elements:
The inpatient stay lasts an average of 10 to 12 weeks and is divided into different phases during this time. In the first half, the focus is on regulating and normalizing meal intake. For underweight patients, the aim is to gain weight in the meantime. In the second half of the therapy, the consolidation of the successes achieved and integration into everyday life are of central importance.
Goals of inpatient treatment:
(underweight with BMI18.5 to 20kg/m2)
The day clinic program includes various elements, some of which overlap with those of inpatient therapy, as well as communal meals. Patients can participate for half or full days and spend the night at home.
This service is aimed at people with eating disorders for whom outpatient therapy is not sufficient but inpatient therapy is not necessary. TC also serves to improve the transition between inpatient and outpatient treatment and to stabilize and further develop the therapy goals achieved. TK often allows us to shorten the length of inpatient stays.
Our day clinic is the largest outpatient service center for affected patients in the canton of Zurich. Patients and referrals from other cantons have the option of obtaining a cost approval from their canton of residence on an individual basis and in consultation with the treatment team.
If you have any questions about cost coverage, please contact the secretariat of the day clinic:
Emilia Hausmann
+41 43 253 29 04
emilia.hausmann@usz.ch
Severely underweight patients with anorexia nervosa initially require intensive inpatient somatic treatment.
Thanks to the close cooperation with the Clinic for Internal Medicine (KIM) and other clinics of the USZ, the ZES is also able to successfully admit and treat severely ill patients with anorexia nervosa. Patients with an unstable physical situation are primarily treated in the KIM, with consultative support from our psychiatrists at the ZES. Once the patient has reached a minimum level of physical stabilization without acute vital danger, they can then be transferred to the ZES ward if necessary.
We also offer group therapy specifically for women with eating disorders. This is led weekly on Thursday evenings by our movement therapist.
The ZES also offers guided evenings for relatives. Various topics are presented and discussed here each month. At the same time, a close exchange with people affected in the same way is possible.
You can either register yourself or be referred by your primary care physician, specialist.
Simply assign your patient to us online.
University Hospital Zurich
Department of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine
Culmannstrasse 8
8091 Zurich