Bulimia Nervosa

Nutrition & Therapy

what is Bulimia?

Bulimia Nervosa is characterized by what may look to others as normalized eating, but also includes episodes of binge-eating (eating significantly more than most people would in similar circumstances, with a sense of loss of control followed by guilt, shame, or feeling physically ill) followed by compensatory behaviors (such as purging, laxative use, or fasting). The Binge/Purge cycle often serves a function of regulating or numbing difficult emotions, and it is a very difficult cycle to break on one’s own. Like Anorexia and Binge-eating Disorder, Bulimia thrives off of secrecy and shame. The good news is that it is very possible to break out of this cycle of shame with support.

Do I or a loved one have Bulimia?

Do you (or your loved one)....

Feel you worry about your weight more than others?
Believe you are “fat” when others say you are “thin”?
Experience a sense of loss-of-control around food, eating until you are uncomfortable or feel ill?
Tell yourself you’ll “do better next time,” only to repeat the behavior again and again?
Engage in behaviors to compensate for food eaten, such as self-induced vomiting, laxative use, fasting, or exercise?
Feel that thoughts of food, weight, and calories dominate your life?

If you answered yes to two or more questions, you may have an eating disorder, but only a thorough assessment from a trained therapist or psychologist can determine for sure.

Medical risks of bulimia include:

Dehydration
Electrolyte imbalances
Dental issues
Acid reflux
GI concerns, including GI-tract bleeding
Thyroid complications
Cardiac concerns

Untreated Bulimia Nervosa carries increased risk for heart attacks, seizures, or suicide. While general culture may perceive bulimia as a vanity-issue, we know that eating disorders are in fact a life-threatening illness that can take over everything.

At Bamboo Nutrition & Therapy, we understand how distressing and hopeless life with Bulimia Nervosa can feel. We also know there is hope. We have walked with many people through the ups and downs and we know that recovery is possible.

Begin recovery today

What to expect during your first session?

The initial session involves a meeting with one of our providers where you simply get to tell your story–as much or as little as you feel comfortable. We may ask you about your symptoms or relationship with food, but we will also ask about other things in life: your hopes, passions, goals, other mental health concerns, and relationships. You are also welcome to ask us anything you need during this time to feel confident in our partnership together.

Eating disorders, due to their complexity of mental, emotional, and physical health risks, require a specialized multi-disciplinary team. This team includes a therapist, a registered dietitian, a primary care doctor, family members or loved ones, and may also include a psychiatrist and other specialists or community members (coaches, teachers, etc).

If you don’t yet have an established care team, we will assist in setting you up with specialized providers to help ensure medical stability while we work together.

How long does treatment take, and what can I expect from therapy?

Everyone walks their own individual journey, and everyone’s recovery story is uniquely their own. While some are looking to find a therapist who can be a life-long support, others may wish to utilize support for a brief, focused season. While the average time spent working with an outpatient therapist is a few years, we encourage clients to consider committing to the process for just a few months. By the end of two or three months, you should be noticing changes, or start to feel that something is working.

Nutrition support is necessary

Working with both a therapist and a registered dietitian who specialize in eating disorder treatment offers the most effective path to healing. Therapy addresses the emotional and behavioral aspects of the disorder, while nutrition care supports your physical health and recovery. A registered dietitian helps restore nourishment, monitors medical risks, and collaborates with your physician to reduce the risk of long-term complications.

While everyone’s journey is unique, there are some basic building blocks of recovery that are common regardless of what brings you here. You can expect treatment to help you…

Set personalized goals based on your values

Establish regular, adequate, flexible patterns of eating
Learn the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors
Notice your thoughts, feel your feelings
Identify unhelpful thought patterns and replace them with more effective beliefs
Challenge patterns of avoidance through intentional, planned, supportive exposures
Develop coping skills for challenging moments, and…
Graduate when you are ready.