Bulimia Nervosa

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Bulimia nervosa, or bulimia, is a type of eating disorder. Someone with bulimia eats a lot of food in a short amount of time (bingeing) and then tries to get rid of the calories by purging. Purging might be done in these ways:

making oneself throw up
taking laxatives (pills or liquids that increase how fast food moves through your body and leads to a bowel movement [BM])

A person with bulimia may also use these ways to prevent weight gain:

exercising a lot (more than normal)
restricting her eating or not eating at all (like going without food for a day)
taking diuretics (pills that make you urinate [pee])

Bulimia is more than just a problem with food. It's a way of using food to feel in control of other feelings that may seem overwhelming. Purging and other behaviors to prevent weight gain are ways for people with bulimia to feel more in control of their lives and to ease stress and anxiety.

Unlike anorexia, when people are severely underweight, people with bulimia may be underweight, overweight, or have a normal weight. This makes it harder to know if someone has this disease. However, someone with bulimia may have these signs:

thinks about food a lot
binges (normally in secret)
throws up after bingeing
uses laxatives, diet pills, or diuretics (pills that help you pee) to control weight
is depressed
is unhappy and/or thinks a lot about her body shape and weight
eats large amounts of food quickly
goes to the bathroom all the time after she eats (to throw up)
exercises a lot, even during bad weather, fatigue, illness, or injury
unusual swelling of the cheeks or jaw area
cuts and calluses on the back of the hands and knuckles from making herself throw up
white enamel of teeth wears away making teeth look clear
doesn't see friends or participate in activities as much
has rules about food — has "good" foods and "bad" foods

Bulimia can be very harmful to all parts of the body. The good news is that a person with bulimia can get better. Different types of therapy have worked to help people with bulimia. This may include individual, group, and family therapy. The antidepressant medicine, Prozac, can be used to treat this illness and is usually given in combination with therapy.

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Additional Resources

Publications

Fact Sheet — Bulimia Nervosa — This fact sheet answers common questions about bulimia nervosa. It explains what it is, what the causes are, what the warning signs are, how it affects the body, and what treatment options are available.
http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/bulimia-nervosa.cfm
Bulimia — This Web page describes the symptoms, treatments, and prognosis of bulimia and offers contact information for support groups.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000341.htm
Eating Disorders — This detailed booklet describes symptoms, causes, and treatments of eating disorders. It also includes information on getting help and coping.
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/eating-disorders/summary.shtml
A Brief Overview of Therapies Used in the Treatment of Eating Disorders (Copyright © ANAD) — Psychotherapy can be an effective way of treating eating disorders. This fact sheet provides an overview of each type of psychotherapy commonly used in the treatment of anorexia nervosa and other eating disorders.
http://www.anad.org/22343/index.html
Bulimia Nervosa (Copyright © NEDA) — This Web page describes the warning signs and symptoms of bulimia and lists statistics about the disorder.
http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/p.asp?WebPage_ID=286&Profile_ID=41141
Bulimia Nervosa Resource Guide for Family and Friends (Copyright © ECRI Institute) — This Web site provides a one-stop comprehensive resource on bulimia nervosa for anyone who wants to understand the disorder and how to support a family member or friend with bulimia nervosa.
http://www.bulimiaguide.org/
Bulimia Nervosa: Checklists and Tip Charts (Copyright © Bulimia Nervosa Resource Guide) — This Web page provides information about every aspect of treating bulimia nervosa: recommended questions to ask your doctor, guidance for insurance issues, ways for friends and family to be supportive, and more.
http://www.bulimiaguide.org/index/category.aspx?lid=464
Bulimia Nervosa: Signs, Symptoms, Treatment, and Help (Copyright © Helpguide.org) — This page outlines the basic information about the eating disorder bulimia and explains how to get help.
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/bulimia_signs_symptoms_causes_treatment.htm
Find a Support Group (Copyright © ANAD) — If you have an eating disorder, this Web page will help you locate a support group in your area.
http://www.anad.org/22322/index.html
How to Afford Appropriate Treatment for an Eating Disorder: A Guide for Patients & Their Families (Copyright © National Eating Disorder Association) — This publication provides detailed information on where to find appropriate treatment, how to find out if it is covered by insurance, what to do if it isn't, and where to get financial assistance for eating disorder treatment.
http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/p.asp?WebPage_ID=758
Pregnancy & Eating Disorders: Facts About the Risks (Copyright © National Eating Disorder Association) — This publication discusses the risks of having an eating disorder during pregnancy, including an explanation of how it can affect both the baby and mother. It also provides information on what to do if you become pregnant.
http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/p.asp?WebPage_ID=320&Profile_ID=96566

Organizations

= Indicates Federal Resources

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