Bulimia

Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder with periods of uncontrolled eating, known as binging. These sessions of binging are then followed by purging. Purging might include vomiting or the abuse of laxatives.

Binging is when a person eats much more than what would be considered normal in a short window, usually within two hours. 

When someone has bulimia, they can’t control their binge eating episodes. Depending on the person, the binging and purging cycles might happen multiple times a day or several times weekly.

Someone with bulimia is likely to have a normal or above-normal body weight, so it’s often harder for their loved ones to see the problem until it’s gone on for long periods. It’s unlikely for someone to receive help for bulimia until they’ve reached middle age, at which point, it’s harder for them to make a change.

There are two categories of bulimia, defined by how the person suffering from the disorder restricts their calories. 

Purging-type bulimia includes self-induced vomiting or using enemas, diuretics, laxatives, or medicines intended to clear the intestines.

The second type of bulimia is non-purging, where someone will use other behaviors instead of purging. For example, in non-purging bulimia, a person might use fasting or exercise excessively to “compensate” for their binging behaviors.

Frequently starting during the teen years, bulimia most often affects females, but males can be impacted as well.

Someone with bulimia is more likely to come from a family with a history of eating disorders, mental health problems, or physical illnesses.

Substance use disorders, anxiety, and mood disorders often co-occur with bulimia.

When someone has bulimia, they will work hard to keep their periods of binging and purging a secret from the people around them.

The earlier someone receives treatment for this eating disorder, the more likely future problems can be prevented. Otherwise, bulimia can lead to serious physical and mental health consequences, and it can ultimately affect almost every organ and be deadly.

Centric Behavioral Health is a leading bulimia rehab center. We offer dual-diagnosis treatment programs for co-occurring mental health and eating disorders and addiction programs.