Eating Disorder Treatment

Understanding Bulimia

While the eating disorder diagnoses are highly problematic, bulimia is diagnosed when a person eats a large amount of food at once (a binge) and then attempts to get rid of the calories in some way (a purge).

Purging can take many forms, from vomiting to misusing substances to fasting. Some people think that these methods will help them keep a lower weight, but they usually aren’t tremendously effective and certainly not in the long term.

These methods are also often seen as a a means of taking back control after binges, but the real freedom happens when people start getting bulimia treatment and learn how to give themselves what they really actually need.

Often, the idea of a lower weight has become confused with the idea of feeling confident, at ease, and secure. You can get there by getting the right support and meeting your ACTUAL needs.

Maybe you tell yourself you’re not going to binge and purge again, but then eat too much and feel like you have to purge.

Or you’re afraid of being “fat,” and you don’t like your body. You hate doing this, but you’re afraid to stop.

If you are struggling with bulimia, you probably have a very complicated relationship with food and your body. Everyone’s experience with bulimia is different and your journey is unique. Maybe, you hate the way your body looks regardless of how much you weigh. Or, you might have lots of shame about the way you eat. But healing is available.

Real change is possible.

Image of a young female feeling confident about facing her bulimia nervosa after a therapy session at Monarch Wellness and Psychotherapy
Image of a female sitting on a mountainside looking out over the horizon feeling free from bulimia nervosa after a therapy session at Monarch Wellness and Psychotherapy

Understanding Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia is diagnosed when a person eats a large amount of food at once (a binge) and then attempts to get rid of the calories in some way (purging). Purging can take lots of forms. A person with bulimia might vomit the food you’ve eaten, fast, over-exercise, take laxatives or use diuretics. But, purging is not an effective method of weight control.

If you have bulimia you might have a distorted view of your body. So, you might go on feeling bad about your body, until eventually the urge to binge and say “to heck with it” becomes too overpowering. Then you have to purge and the cycle starts all over again.

Check out our blog post about 10 Ways Bulimia May Be Harming Your Body.

Specific symptoms of bulimia nervosa

    • Russell’s sign (a callus on the knuckle where it hits the teeth during vomiting)

    • Dental problems, especially enamel erosion

    • Puffy appearance from swollen parotid glands

    • Esophagus/throat damage

    • Preoccupation with body and weight

    • Guilt and shame about eating

    • Anxiety about being able to purge

    • Difficulty concentrating

    • Poor self-image

    • Hiding/hoarding food

    • Eating in secret

    • Stealing food

    • Often leaving immediately after eating

    • Exercising even when injured

Image of a mountain, representing the difficulties of overcoming bulimia nervosa

Counseling Can Help You Find Freedom From Bulimia Nervosa

During eating disorder treatment, we work with you to help you to get a handle on the symptoms of bulimia. We help you understand how feelings of low self-worth, deprivation, and fear are causing your eating disorder. Monarch therapists understand bulimia well and how it impacts your life. Ultimately, our goal is to help you develop a more realistic perception of the way your body looks.

Each of our counselors at Monarch Wellness and Psychotherapy takes a personal approach to bulimia treatment. We recognize that everyone’s experience with bulimia is different. Therefore, we tailor our treatment approach to fit the unique needs of everyone we see. By understanding the emotional need that underlies your desire to binge and purge, we can help you to find alternative ways to feel safe, in control, and empowered. Also, Monarch therapists take an active approach to bulimia treatment, so they might encourage you to reach out when you are feeling like you’ve lost control.

We take a unique approach to bulimia treatment

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

    ACT is a type of therapy that helps you to focus on what kind of values are important to you as a person. Then we look at how they might be different than the values of your eating disorder. During ACT you will also learn mindfulness which is a skill that keeps you anchored in the present instead of dwelling in the past or worrying about the future.

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

    CBT helps you think more realistically about your body and food. We all have unhelpful thoughts that are not actually realistic. Some of us might think in terms of all or nothing, assume the worst, or jump to conclusions. All of these thought patterns are things that can fuel the cycle of bulimia. CBT helps you to reality-check the way you’re thinking and learn new ways to cope with negative emotions.

  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

    DBT focuses on changing your behavior and accepting yourself as you are. It also offers skills for managing overwhelming feelings, improving relationships, and being mindful. There is lots of research showing that DBT is a very successful way to treat bulimia.

  • Psychodynamic Therapy

    During Psychodynamic Therapy we examine the ways past events affect your present reality. The focus of psychodynamic therapy for bulimia is to understand what has caused your eating disorder and helps you rewrite your future with new, different experiences.

A female person of color feeling healed from her bulimia nervosa after a therapy session at Monarch Wellness and Psychotherapy

Healing from Bulimia

After treatment for bulimia, you will have tools to deal with emotional distress that may be fueling your urges to binge and purge. You will also be able to be compassionate towards yourself. Additionally, your relationships with others will begin to improve. Ultimately, we hope you will freedom from the control food once held in your life.

Ready to start your healing journey?

Schedule an appointment with Monarch Wellness and Psychotherapy today. We’re here to support you every step of the way toward a healthier, more fulfilling life.