CCED understands the behavioral and emotional components of bulimia nervosa and the serious effects they have on individuals. We encourage you to speak with our Trusted Specialist.
Bulimia nervosa is characterized by binge eating followed by some sort of compensation, such as purging, laxative use, exercise, restriction. Individuals who are bulimic often feel intense shame for their behaviors, and thus engage in them privately.
Individuals with bulimia nervosa are typically of normal or above-normal weight and often seek help when behaviors become economically, socially or personally unacceptable.
Initial treatment will focus on gaining control of the behaviors by working to limit the purge episodes and re-learning how to eat “normal” amounts of binge foods. Other very important facets of treatment include gaining mastery of emotions and feelings, and learning to communicate these effectively in your world.
Types of Bulimia Nervosa
There are three behavioral forms of bulimia nervosa: binge, dia-bulimia and EDNOS (Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified). The term “binge” can be described as eating a larger amount of food than most individuals would eat in a discrete period of time with a concomitant, loss of control. Dia-bulimia refers to the use of insulin manipulation by a diabetic person as an inappropriate compensatory behavior. However, it is not currently a recognized clinical diagnosis.
EDNOS is a diagnosis that is used when an individual does not meet all the criteria required for a diagnosis of either bulimia nervosa or anorexia nervosa. However, this diagnosis does not imply that the eating disorder experienced by an individual is less extreme, or that an individual is less sick.
Signs of Bulimia Nervosa include:
- The binge may be set off by restriction, intense negative emotions, stress or negative feelings associated with body shape, weight or size.
- The binge and purge cycle may induce more positive feelings for a period of time post behavior, but shame and discomfort associated with the behavior typically follow.
Bulimia Side Effects
Patients are likely to experience heartburn, nausea, esophageal bleeding, and disruptions in bowel function and electrolyte balance. Over time, patients may permanently lose dental enamel.