How to Treat Bulimia

Bulimia (bulimia nervosa) is an eating disorder characterized by frequent episodes of binge eating and purging. The disorder is considered a psychological condition that can be difficult to treat. Therapy in combination with medication is often used to treat this debilitating condition.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Learn How to Treat Bulimia

1. Begin treatment early when possible. It is best to treat bulimia at the onset of symptoms. Bulimia is characterized by three months or more of weekly binging eating and purging.
2. Find a treatment referral from the National Eating Disorders Association website (see Resources below). Call the helpline or search for a treatment provider, center or free support group in your area.
3. Join an eating disorder support group to treat the psychological root of bulimia in a supportive environment. Bulimic and anorexic patients often join the same support groups to help them work through similar symptoms.
4. Take a multi-vitamin to treat insufficient vitamin and mineral intake often caused by bulimic behavior.
5. Check into a residential treatment center offering long term care to eating disorder patients. Residential centers treat the physical symptoms of bulimia and offer counseling and support.
6. Ask your doctor about trying an anti-depressant medication. Prozac is an anti-depressant commonly prescribed to bulimia patients to help reduce symptoms.
7. Identify the underlying psychological issues that lead to bulimic behavior in cognitive behavior therapy. Become self aware through personal analysis and talking with a professional therapist.
8. Hire a dietician to help develop a healthy diet to restore your body's vitality. Bulimia leaves the body malnourished and physically distressed. A nutritious diet is required to reverse physical symptoms and maintain health.
9. Help yourself recover by reading "Overcoming Bulimia: Your Comprehensive, Step-By-Step Guide to Recovery" (see Resources below). This workbook offers tools and suggestions to help readers break the cycle of bulimic behavior.

Tips & Warnings

• Talk about your condition with your friends and family. An eating disorder can be stressful and embarrassing to treat, but the support of family and friends can make treatment seem more manageable.
• Understand that bulimia is very similar to the eating disorder anorexia nervosa, which is characterized by an unhealthy obsession to control body weight. If you are suffering from either condition, talk to your doctor about "symptom swapping" and the likelihood of being affected by both disorders.