Bulimia Nervosa Treatment in North Carolina

What Is Bulimia Nervosa?

Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder that is one of many complex mental health conditions. Like other disorders, bulimia is governed by a feeling of compulsion that causes sufferers to engage in behaviors they understand to have negative consequences. A severe psychological disorder, bulimia affects physical health in numerous ways, but most seriously, it can lead to loss of life. Someone suffering from bulimia requires treatment by a certified healthcare provider who specializes in the field of eating disorders.

A person suffering from bulimia repeatedly engages in binge eating and purging by some means such as vomiting or using laxatives. Non-purging bulimia involves binge eating that’s followed up by periods of fasting or intensive exercise. Psychiatrists cannot pinpoint a single cause of this disorder, but instead, believe it rises from a number of causes that may include having a negative body image, having little to no self-esteem, suffering a traumatic incident, experiencing a form of abuse, or engaging in a pursuit or job that requires a certain appearance or weight range. A person with bulimia will often binge and purge in secret, lack control when eating, and exhibit patterns of bingeing and fasting.

Diagnosing Bulimia Nervosa

A person has to decide that are ready to recognize and address their problem before treatment can begin. This is one of the hardest steps, but it will lead to a rewarding journey of self-discovery.

Do I have bulimia nervosa? Self-assessment checklist:

• Do you frequently worry about your weight or appearance?
• Does the thought of gaining weight cause distress?
• Do you compulsively eat large amounts of food in one sitting?
• Do you end these binge eating sessions with compensating behaviors, such as purging, fasting, or exercising?
• Do you use laxatives, diuretics, or enemas on a regular basis?
• Do you use dietary supplements or herbal products in an attempt to control your weight?

If these patterns sound familiar, you should speak with a medical professional. Remember to be honest with yourself and any medical professionals you speak to. There is nothing to be ashamed of – you can get through this.

What Are the Effects of Bulimia?

Bulimia can have dramatic health effects on the body. Binge eating and purging can cause:

• Broken blood vessels beneath the eyes
• Continual weight fluctuations
• Dehydration
• Tooth decay
• Electrolyte imbalances (this can cause cardiac arrest)
• Irregular heartbeat
• Oral trauma
• Esophageal inflammation
• Gastric reflux
• Mood swings
• Bloody vomit
• Organ damage
• Infertility

Some health issues like organ damage may be permanent, so it’s important for sufferers to get treatment as soon as possible to prevent serious health issues from occurring as a result of this eating disorder. Many sufferers of bulimia require psychotherapy and, in many cases, medication. The combination of therapy, psychotherapy, and antidepressant drugs, for instance, can help sufferers manage their compulsions. Family therapy can also be helpful.

In some cases, hospitalization is required to help a person manage this disorder and any associated health conditions. A certified treatment center that specializes in eating disorders like bulimia can help individuals achieve long-term recovery.

How is Bulimia Nervosa Treated?

Like most eating disorders, bulimia nervosa is treated using a combination of therapies and medications. Treatment will vary from person to person based on their unique needs and circumstances. At Tapestry, we help patients understand the intellectual factors behind their disorder before delving into the emotional aspects. This means educating people about the driving factors behind eating disorders so that have the tools they need to identify and address unhealthy patterns.

Treatment for bulimia may involve:

• Pharmacological therapy to help reduce the symptoms of bulimia
• Cognitive behavioral therapy to help you normalize your eating patterns and replace negative beliefs and behaviors with positive ones
• Family-based treatment to help parents and other immediate family members intervene and stop your unhealthy patterns, allowing you to regain control over your eating habits
• Interpersonal psychotherapy to address difficulties in close relationships, allowing you to improve your communication skills

Our team will be beside you every step of the way, but we will also empower you to manage your own meals and behaviors so that you can maintain positive results at home.

Tapestry staff members bring decades of combined experience providing empathetic, effective treatment for eating disorders and behavioral disorders.

Through years of experience, we know that these conditions are rarely isolated. We understand that disordered eating and co-occurring disorders are often the result of underlying mental health issues such as trauma, depression and anxiety disorders.

Each aspect of our facilities is designed to put you at ease and make you feel as at home as possible.