Eating and sleep disorders: first-line therapy for binge-eating disorder: practice question

A Psychiatry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Psychiatry · Eating and sleep disorders: first-line therapy for binge-eating disorder

Sample item

A 34-year-old obese woman has recurrent binges with distress but no vomiting or laxative use. She prefers a non-drug approach. Which therapy is recommended first?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Cognitive behavioural therapy for binge eating

For binge-eating disorder, CBT (including guided self-help) is the first-line treatment and reduces binge frequency. Pharmacotherapy such as lisdexamfetamine is a later option. Weight loss surgery is not a treatment for the disorder itself.

Option by option

  • A. Supportive counselling on diet

    Dietary advice alone has little effect on binge frequency.

  • B. Behavioural activation alone

    Behavioural activation is aimed at depression and does not target binge eating.

  • C. Surgical gastric banding

    Gastric banding treats obesity, not the loss-of-control eating that drives the disorder.

  • D. Cognitive behavioural therapy for binge eating (correct)

    Correct. CBT is the first-line psychological therapy for binge-eating disorder.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is D, Cognitive behavioural therapy for binge eating. For binge-eating disorder, CBT (including guided self-help) is the first-line treatment and reduces binge frequency.

Why is "Supportive counselling on diet" not the answer?

Dietary advice alone has little effect on binge frequency.

Why is "Behavioural activation alone" not the answer?

Behavioural activation is aimed at depression and does not target binge eating.

Why is "Surgical gastric banding" not the answer?

Gastric banding treats obesity, not the loss-of-control eating that drives the disorder.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Eating and sleep disorders: first-line therapy for binge-eating disorder in Psychiatry. Pharmacotherapy such as lisdexamfetamine is a later option. Weight loss surgery is not a treatment for the disorder itself.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Eating and sleep disorders: first-line therapy for binge-eating disorder?

Learn each diagnosis by its core features and its first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other Psychiatry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.