The Bulimia Nervosa Support Center

Every person is unique, but when you face a challenge like bulimia nervosa, you are never alone. Countless men and women have faced exactly the same diagnosis and have survived and thrived. The following guide is designed to help you navigate your journey with the best information and resources that helped other survivors when they faced the same challenge.

TSC has scoured the Internet and assembled links to the very best bulimia resources: articles, blogs, forums, and tools that can help you make better decisions and take action to overcome the range of physical, emotional and other challenges that you face.

As you’ll see, we always welcome your ideas and suggestions to make this bulimia nervosa guide even more helpful to survivors like you.

JUST FOUND OUT

Survivors Say: Best Resources for Bulimia

Survivors say these are the best resources for those who have just found out; each can tell you more about the condition and your options for treatment:

• Womenshealth.gov: Bulimia Nervosa - Frequently Asked Questions
• MedlinePlus: Bulimia
• Mayoclinic.com: Bulimia Nervosa

The Big Picture

Millions of people in the United States are or have been bulimic. Women account for most cases, but males are sometimes affected too. Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder in which the sufferer eats large, unhealthy amounts amounts of food (binging) and then purges it (voluntarily vomiting what she's eaten in hopes of losing weight or avoiding weight gain). Some bulimics also over-exercise and/or abuse laxatives to keep calories to a minimum.

Not only is bulimia exceptionally detrimental to health, like anorexia it can result in serious, permanent health conditions and even death if it is not treated.

Signs of Bulimia

Mayoclinic.com: Bulimia Nervosa - Symptoms

Your Bulimia Nervosa

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' womenshealth.gov site provides an excellent overview of bulimia nervosa: Bulimia Nervosa - Frequently Asked Questions

The Mayoclinic.com offers clear information about the causes, symptoms, treatments, and support groups related to bulimia: Bulimia Nervosa

Understanding Your Symptoms

Psychcentral. com explains how to recognize bulimia in yourself or someone you love:

Bulimia Nervosa - Symptoms

eMedicineHealth.com's page on bulimia details the condition's primary warning signs:

Bulimia

5 Questions You Should Ask Your Doctor

• What are my treatment options?
• Will I have to take medication? If so, for how long?
• How long will it take me to recover?
• What permanent health problems am I facing?
• What support resources should I seek?

Your World

Finding out that you suffer from bulimia can be overwhelming and frightening. You may feel as if you’ve been exposed or humiliated, followed by feelings of shame or guilt. This is all natural, so try to focus on the fact that seeking help might well save your life. Feeling sad, depressed, or anxious is normal, but if you've sought help you've taken the first step to recovery and a life beyond bulimia.

How to Explain Your Diagnosis to Friends and Family

Educate your family about your bulimia and let them know the symptoms and how you're feeling, as well as the treatment you plan to undergo if you've decided. If your family and friends understand your illness it will make it easier for them to support you.

Bulimia Myths

• "Bulimia isn’t deadly."
• "Bulimia is an OK way to lose weight."
• "Vomiting is the only way someone can purge."
• "Bulimia only affects women."
  

For answers to these common myths, check out this link from the Anorexiasurvivalguide.org:

Busting a Few Bulimia Eating Disorder Myths

Treatment Types

The recovery rate for those who receive treatment for bulimia is very high, so as you begin your journey to treat your bulimia try to keep this in mind.  Be sure to stick with your treatment as your doctor(s) has prescribed it and talk to the health care professionals who are treating you if you find you cannot keep up with some part of our treatment or are reverting to old habits. Your loved ones will be anxious to hear about your progress, too, and to help if you are struggling.

Group Support

Talk therapy in a group setting can be a very valuable tool for coping with intense emotions:

• Eating Disorder Groups - About.com
• Eating Disorder Self Help/Support - MSN.com

Medical Treatment

Medical treatment for bulimia nervosa may requires in-patient hospitalization (in more severe cases) and most patients will participate in some form of counseling/psychotherapy to get to the root causes of the eating disorder: 

Medicinenet.com: Bulimia Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment
eMedicineHealth.com: Bulimia - Medical Treatment

Psychotherapy

"Talk therapy" or counseling is often recommended for patients, since psychological issues are usually at the base of any eating disorder. The National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Eating Disorders (ANAD) site offers an easy way to find a therapist in your state who specializes in eating disorders:

ANAD: Find a Therapist

What do I need to find out from my insurance carrier?

• Does my plan cover treatment for bulimia nervosa?
• What does my plan offer with bulimia?
• Are my rates going to increase?
• Will my coverage end if I start treatment?
• Will I be limited to specific doctors and treatments?

How do I receive help without being a burden to my family or friends?

Be sure to educate your family and close friends about bulimia. Tell them what it is and how it’s been affecting you as well as an overview of your treatment plan. It usually takes time to recover from an eating disorder, so by preparing your loved ones for the work you're doing to overcome bulimia you make it easier for them to understand and support you on your journey and into survivorship. You might also explain to them the things you'll need help with and what you'll be able to do on your own.

What kind of doctors do I need?

You may see a variety of health-care professionals on your road to recovery, including physicians, psychotherapists and nutritionists who specialize in eating disorders.

Resources To Find Doctors

• Find a Eating Disorder Doctor - About.com
• How to Select a Doctor to Treat Bulimia - eHow.com
• Find A Doctor - RevolutionHealth.com

Books Survivors Recommend

• Bulimia: A Guide to Recovery by Lindsey Hall, Leigh Cohn
• Pain Behind the Smile : My Battle With Bulimia by Leah Hulan
• Leaving Food Behind by Sheila Mather
• My Naked Truth: Surviving Depression and Bulimia by Ximena Viliz
• Sensing the Self: Women's Recovery from Bulimia by Sheila M. Reindl
• The Monster Within: Facing an Eating Disorder by Cynthia Rowland McClure

Keeping the lines of communication open between you and your doctor

• Honesty and open communication with your physician contribute to your recovery.
• Open communication will help your doctor properly treat your case.
• The doctor and your support network are the lifelines between you and your recovery.

Information for Co-Survivors

How you can help

• Share your struggle with bulimia nervosa with others on the journey to recovery.
• Encourage others to research their treatment options and learn more about the disorder.
• Assist in finding legitimate sources for information and treatment plans.

What to say

• Share your personal journey to recovery.
• Provide legitimate and informative facts and resources regarding the condition.
• Encourage recovery and stress its benefits.

What not to say

• Don't offer information about treatment or resources you are unsure of.
• Don't focus on the negative aspects of bulimia.
• Don't refer a survivor a group or doctor you haven’t thoroughly researched.

Things you can do for a survivor today and everyday

• Be available in an emergency.
• Share updates you've heard or read on research, treatment, and resources for recovery.
• Inquire on the survivor's progress.

How to build a support network

• Set up a TSC co-survivor profile.
• Join support groups, forums and blogs.
• Utilize your family and friends for emotional help.

Getting help now for bulimia could save your life. Many thousands of women and men have recovered and gone on to lead completely normal, healthy lives. Your recovery will be based on your effort in sticking with treatment over time. This isn't always easy, but it is worth it in the end as you move from becoming someone with bulimia to a survivor who has put this struggle behind you.

Because emotional ups and downs can be expected, use all the resources you can find to maintain your mental health during your recovery. Soon you will be a great example to other survivors struggling with bulimia. Be sure to share your journey; assisting other bulimia sufferers can be very emotionally rewarding.

Worst Case

In the worst-case scenario untreated bulimia can lead to death, often from cardiac arrest. Bulimia can also exacerbate the complications from type 1 diabetes. There's more about death from bulimia at Wrongdiagnosis.com:

• Deaths from Bulimia Nervosa

If you're looking for a support group, try the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Eating Disorders' site:

• Find a Support Group