Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Bulimia?SymptomsHealth Effects of BulimiaConditions Similar to BulimaTreatment

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

What Is Bulimia?

Symptoms

Health Effects of Bulimia

Conditions Similar to Bulima

Treatment

We’ll be examining bulimia and the symptoms of this condition. We’ll also look into the possible effects of this eating disorder, and the treatment methods popularly recommended to manage it.

Bulimia is an eating disorder that involves episodes of binge eating and a purge after the food has been consumed.

Many people that participate in binge eating do not actually fill their plate with large amounts of food but rather eat a large amount of food, in a short time, and feel out of control. Many times this is standing over the counter, getting seconds, picking here and there, etc.

Other methods of purging include abusing laxatives and diuretics, fasting, or carrying out excessive physical activity.

While the factors responsible for developing bulimia remain unclear,risk factorsfor this condition includechildhood sexual abuse, homosexuality in men, pressure from living in a sorority house,low self-esteem, dieting, participating in sports that focus on thinness or appearance, and belonging to an image-focused industry like modeling.

Symptoms of Bulimia

When a person is suspected of having bulimia, it’s important to remember that their weight may not be the best indicator of the condition. A person with bulimia may appear over or underweight, and can also present normal weight levels.

Instead, the following signs may be a better way to assess a person suspected of having this condition:

Signs and Symptoms of Bulimia in Teenagers

In addition to the psychological and physical effects of bulimia, this condition could pose serious complications for well-being. These effects target everything from dental hygiene to heart health. They include:

Bulimia also increases the risk of developing other psychological disorders like major depressive disorder. More than 70% of people living with this condition report suffering from illnesses like anxiety, substance use, and personality disorders.Very serious cases may worsen the chances of self-harm, suicidal ideation, and death.

This disorder may also lead to severe health conditions like a heart attack, or cardiac arrest.

Despite having unique traits, not every person that retires to the bathroom after a meal is likely to be living with bulimia. There are conditions that share similar symptoms with this eating disorder, some of which include:

Binge Eating Disorder

Like bulimia, people with this condition tend to eat large amounts of food within a short period of time. However, unlike the former,binge eatingcomes without purging (vomiting or excessive exercise, etc.). Both conditions however produce a similar lack of control in eating habits, and guilt after food has been eaten.

Klein-Levin Syndrome

Biliary Disease

Other conditions that present symptoms similar to bulimia include irritable bowel syndrome and neurological diseases.

Treatment of Bulimia

Combined with a fixation on body weight and image, these behaviors must be noticeable at least once a week for three months.As shown, this behavior is dangerous and can have life-threatening implications, this makes treatment an immediate resort once bulimia is suspected.

The primary aim of treating bulimia is to break the cycle of bingeing and purging. Treatment is also focused on developing healthier eating habits and thinking patterns. This may be achieved through the following.

Medication

Antidepressants are commonly recommended to manage bulimia. This includesSSRIssuch as fluoxetine and sertraline. Fluoxetine has proven effective in reducing binge eating and vomiting after as little as four weeks of therapy.

Neurolepticswhich help to manage psychosis may also be administered, as canSNRIsused to manage depression and anxiety.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive-behavioral therapy(CBT) is one of the most trusted ways to manage eating disorders. This form of therapy will help to challenge negative thinking and attitudes towards food, while teaching healthier ways to approach diet and physical maintenance.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Dialectical behavior therapyfocuses on the triggers that encourage binge eating and the extreme preoccupation with weight gain. DBT will not only help to recognize these triggers, but it will also help with properly managing situations that would push to unhealthy eating behaviors.

Family-Based Treatment

By including the family in the recovery process, parents and guardians will have more input in the eating habits of their children living with bulimia. Caregivers are charged with providing those under their care their required nutritional needs.

How Bulimia Nervosa Is Treated

A Word From Verywell

Bulimia has the potential to be a very dangerous disease. Its ability to hide in plain sight makes this condition one of the most easy-to-miss eating disorders, permitting its camouflage for years at a time.

Despite how severe the symptoms of this condition can be, it is also a very treatable condition. Anyone suspected of living with bulimia should be encouraged to seek professional help for the right measures to overcome this condition. If you are unsure if you, or a loved one, is struggling with bulimia, or another eating disorder, speak to a professional.

Caring for Someone With Bulimia: What to Know

8 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Mental Health.Eating Disorders.Rushing JM, Jones LE, Carney CP.Bulimia Nervosa: A Primary Care Review.Prim Care Companion J Clin Psychiatry. 2003;5(5):217-224. doi:10.4088/pcc.v05n0505Cleveland Clinic.Bulimia Nervosa. Reviewed December 12, 2019.Nitsch A, Dlugosz H, Gibson D, Mehler PS.Medical complications of bulimia nervosa.Cleve Clin J Med. 2021;88(6):333-343. Published 2021 Jun 2. doi:10.3949/ccjm.88a.20168Jain A, Yilanli M.Bulimia Nervosa. [Updated 2021 Aug 4]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan.Iqbal A, Rehman A.Binge Eating Disorder.[Updated 2021 Jul 25]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan-.Rarediseases.org.Kleine-Levin SyndromeRushing JM, Jones LE, Carney CP.Bulimia Nervosa: A Primary Care Review.Prim Care Companion J Clin Psychiatry. 2003;5(5):217-224. doi:10.4088/pcc.v05n0505

8 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Mental Health.Eating Disorders.Rushing JM, Jones LE, Carney CP.Bulimia Nervosa: A Primary Care Review.Prim Care Companion J Clin Psychiatry. 2003;5(5):217-224. doi:10.4088/pcc.v05n0505Cleveland Clinic.Bulimia Nervosa. Reviewed December 12, 2019.Nitsch A, Dlugosz H, Gibson D, Mehler PS.Medical complications of bulimia nervosa.Cleve Clin J Med. 2021;88(6):333-343. Published 2021 Jun 2. doi:10.3949/ccjm.88a.20168Jain A, Yilanli M.Bulimia Nervosa. [Updated 2021 Aug 4]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan.Iqbal A, Rehman A.Binge Eating Disorder.[Updated 2021 Jul 25]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan-.Rarediseases.org.Kleine-Levin SyndromeRushing JM, Jones LE, Carney CP.Bulimia Nervosa: A Primary Care Review.Prim Care Companion J Clin Psychiatry. 2003;5(5):217-224. doi:10.4088/pcc.v05n0505

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

National Institute of Mental Health.Eating Disorders.Rushing JM, Jones LE, Carney CP.Bulimia Nervosa: A Primary Care Review.Prim Care Companion J Clin Psychiatry. 2003;5(5):217-224. doi:10.4088/pcc.v05n0505Cleveland Clinic.Bulimia Nervosa. Reviewed December 12, 2019.Nitsch A, Dlugosz H, Gibson D, Mehler PS.Medical complications of bulimia nervosa.Cleve Clin J Med. 2021;88(6):333-343. Published 2021 Jun 2. doi:10.3949/ccjm.88a.20168Jain A, Yilanli M.Bulimia Nervosa. [Updated 2021 Aug 4]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan.Iqbal A, Rehman A.Binge Eating Disorder.[Updated 2021 Jul 25]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan-.Rarediseases.org.Kleine-Levin SyndromeRushing JM, Jones LE, Carney CP.Bulimia Nervosa: A Primary Care Review.Prim Care Companion J Clin Psychiatry. 2003;5(5):217-224. doi:10.4088/pcc.v05n0505

National Institute of Mental Health.Eating Disorders.

Rushing JM, Jones LE, Carney CP.Bulimia Nervosa: A Primary Care Review.Prim Care Companion J Clin Psychiatry. 2003;5(5):217-224. doi:10.4088/pcc.v05n0505

Cleveland Clinic.Bulimia Nervosa. Reviewed December 12, 2019.

Nitsch A, Dlugosz H, Gibson D, Mehler PS.Medical complications of bulimia nervosa.Cleve Clin J Med. 2021;88(6):333-343. Published 2021 Jun 2. doi:10.3949/ccjm.88a.20168

Jain A, Yilanli M.Bulimia Nervosa. [Updated 2021 Aug 4]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan.

Iqbal A, Rehman A.Binge Eating Disorder.[Updated 2021 Jul 25]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan-.

Rarediseases.org.Kleine-Levin Syndrome

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