Bulimia Nervosa
What is Bulimia Nervosa (BN)?
Bulimia Nervosa (BN) criteria is met when an individual consumes large amounts of food within a short amount of time (usually within 2 hours), engages in the binge/purge cycle at least 2 times per week, engages in self-induced vomiting, exercise, laxatives, diuretics and/or restricting of food.
For those individuals who have BN - Purging Type: the individual engages in regular use of purging or compensatory behaviors such as exercise, laxatives, diuretics, and/or food restriction.
For those individuals who have BN - Non-Purging Type: the individual uses fasting or excessive exercise to compensate for overeating, but does not engage in self-induced vomiting or laxatives.
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Who has Bulimia Nervosa (BN)?
BN is more common than Anorexia Nervosa and often begins in early adolescence. In the United States, it is believed that 1.5% of women and 0.5% of men report suffering from bulimia in their lifetime. Approximately 1–3% of middle/high school age girls struggle with BN.
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What is the scary truth about Bulimia Nervosa (BN)?
BN can involve many medical complications, including stomach issues, teeth erosion and gum problems, irregular menstrual periods, esophagus damage and swallowing problems, water retention, and swelling and/or bloating.
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Why would someone purposely overeat and then purge the food?
An individual may binge/purge for a number of reasons:
- Perceives self as too big and needing to lose weight
- Tries to restrict but then gets very hungry and binges
- Feels shame and guilt for eating
- Gains a sense of being in control by purging
- Control means power and strength
- To numb painful or uncomfortable feelings
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How do bulimics think and feel?
- "I am judged only by what I can do" "I feel satisfaction from what I accomplish" "I don’t know what it means to become someone"
- "I will never meet your expectations"
- "I will never meet my expectations"
- "I cannot tolerate my feelings"
- "My body is unsafe and unpredictable"
- "My body is a tool - a statement of my needs and wants. It is my voice."
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How does Alexian Brothers treat Bulimia Nervosa (BN)?
At Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital, we work with all individuals who have the BN diagnosis: males, females, children, teens, and adults. While our treatment program is group-based, we tailor each individual’s treatment for their particular needs. Every individual in the program is assigned a case manager, a dietitian, and a psychiatrist. Each of these team members meet with the individual on a weekly basis.
The Alexian Brothers Center for Eating Disorders uses the Self Regulatory Structural Process Model to allow the patient to be the expert in his/her treatment. We use Motivational Interviewing to meet the patient where they are at in their treatment process. The goal is to educate and empower the patient to reduce unhealthy behaviors by recognizing dysfunctional patterns of relating to others, self, and food. While working with the individual on healthy eating patterns, we also focus on the underlying issues that surround their restricting as well as learning new coping skills to deal with stressors.
Each individual is assessed as to what their Ideal Body Weight (IBW) range is. Some individuals may need to maintain their current weight and have a meal plan set up for that purpose while teaching healthy coping skills. Other individuals who are under their IBW may need to gain 1-2 pounds per week.
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For further information, please contact Denise M. Styer, Psy.D., Clinical Director, at
denise.styer@abbhh.net
. Individuals who would like to be assessed for treatment can call our Access Intake Department at 1-800-432-5005 to set up an appointment, or can walk-in for our FREE assessment.
Free Confidential Assessment & Referrals
A counselor is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and we are committed to prompt attention.
Please call us at 1-800-432-5005.
