Monte Nido logo
Treatment
What we treat
What we treatAnorexia NervosaAtypical AnorexiaBulimia NervosaBinge Eating
See all
Who we serve
Who we serveAdolescentsAll gendersFamilies and loved onesAthletes
See more
Programs
Our programsVirtual treatmentDay treatmentResidential treatmentInpatient treatment
Admissions
AdmissionsInsurance CheckerFinancial considerationsFAQ
APPROACH
Our approachTherapeutic philosophyNutrition

Do I have an eating disorder?

This 2-minute quiz can help you see if you or your loved one might have an eating disorder.

Take the screening assessment
Locations
ArizonaArizona
CaliforniaCalifornia
ColoradoColorado
ConnecticutConnecticut
FloridaFlorida
GeorgiaGeorgia
IdahoIdaho
IllinoisIllinois
MaineMaine
MarylandMaryland
MassachusettsMassachusetts
MissouriMissouri
MontanaMontana
NevadaNevada
New HampshireNew Hampshire
New JerseyNew Jersey
New YorkNew York
North CarolinaNorth Carolina
OhioOhio
OregonOregon
PennsylvaniaPennsylvania
Rhode IslandRhode Island
South CarolinaSouth Carolina
TennesseeTennessee
TexasTexas
UtahUtah
VermontVermont
VirginiaVirginia
WashingtonWashington
VirtualVirtual
a map of the united states of the united states

Discover the Nearest Location

Get matched with our nearest location by sharing a bit about yourself.

Find a locationSeek virtual care
For You
For loved ones
Arrow Right
For clients & alumni
Arrow Right
Caring for loved onesVirtual support groupsResources for loved ones
For alumni
Post-treatment supportVirtual support groups for alumniResources
Documents
Request a medical record

Latest content for loved ones

See all
May 15, 2025
Causes of Body Image Issues in Adolescence
May 12, 2025
6 Facts About Binge Eating Disorder You Might Not Have Known
May 9, 2025
What to Do If You Think Your Child Has Bulimia Nervosa

Latest content for you

See all
May 19, 2025
Eating Disorders and Co-Occurring Mental Health Conditions
May 12, 2025
6 Facts About Binge Eating Disorder You Might Not Have Known
March 17, 2025
How a Dietitian Can Help with Eating Disorders
Placeholder
For Providers
Referrals 101
Outpatient ProvidersFacilities & Hospitals
Continuing educationMeet our Outreach Team
Refer now: Outpatient Providers
Refer now: Facilities & Hospitals

Latest content for providers

See all
May 14, 2025
Unpacking Asian American Eating Disorders and Cultural Influences
April 9, 2025
What is ARFID? Understanding Diagnosis and Treatment
March 12, 2025
Attention Needed: Navigating ADHD and Eating Disorders
About Us
About us
What Monte Nido isOur latest outcomes reportTrusted outcomesLeadershipAdvocacy
Reference
TestimonialsOur work in the newsBlog
Admissions
AdmissionsInsurance CheckerFinancial considerationsFAQ
Join
Careers
Reach out to us
888-228-1253
Reach out to us
Home
What We Treat
Bulimia Nervosa

Overcome bulimia nervosa through thoughtful care

With proper support and treatment, you can develop a healthy relationship with food and your body.

Start Healing
Telephone icon
888-228-1253
A person in a polka dot shirt hugs another person.

What is bulimia nervosa?

Individuals with bulimia nervosa, or as it’s commonly called bulimia, often struggle with feelings of shame, guilt, a lack of control around food, and tolerating fullness. This eating disorder involves periods of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors which can lead to severe physical and psychological consequences.

DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for bulimia nervosa:
  • Recurrent episodes of binge eating. An episode of binge eating is characterized by both of the following:
    • Eating, in a discrete period of time (e.g., within a two hour period), an amount of food that is definitely larger than what most people would eat during a similar period of time and under similar circumstances.
    • Lack of control over eating during the episode (e.g., a feeling that you cannot stop eating, or control what or how much you are eating).
  • Recurrent inappropriate compensatory behavior to prevent weight gain, such as self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or other medications, fasting, or excessive exercise.
  • The binge eating and inappropriate compensatory behaviors both occur, on average, at least once a week for three months.
  • Self-evaluation is unduly influenced by body shape and weight.
  • Binging or purging does not occur exclusively during episodes of behavior that would be common in those with anorexia nervosa.

Types of bulimia nervosa

There are 2 types of bulimia nervosa; both are serious and require comprehensive treatment. Individuals struggling with either type can experience low self-esteem, isolation, and loneliness caused by their cycle of impulsive food consumption and compensatory habits designed to ‘undo’ the binge episode.

Purging Type

This is when binging episodes are followed by self-induced vomiting or misuse of laxatives or diuretics. This is the most common form of bulimia.

Non-Purging Type

Here, individuals use other methods, such as unhealthy fasting or excessive exercise, to counteract the effects of binge eating episodes.

Signs & symptoms of bulimia nervosa

Living with bulimia nervosa can be difficult and overwhelming. Here are some signs and symptoms that you can look for:

  • Using the bathroom right after eating
  • Harsh exercise regimes
  • Eating in secret
  • Mood swings
  • Fatigue
  • A fear of not being able to stop eating
  • Swollen glands
  • Weight fluctuations
  • Electrolyte imbalances
  • Gastrointestinal problems such as damage to the esophagus or throat or experiencing ulcers or acid reflux
  • Dental decay, eroded tooth enamel, and gum problems
  • Severe dehydration which can lead to kidney problems and other complications
  • Nutritional deficiencies in essential vitamins and minerals
  • Heart problems that can potentially lead to cardiac arrhythmias or heart failure
  • Often associated with depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders, compounding the overall health risks
  • Feeling uncomfortably full and guilty after eating

Risk factors for bulimia nervosa

It is not your fault. Bulimia nervosa is not a choice or a personal weakness - it is caused by complex conditions that involve biological, psychological, and social factors. Several factors can increase the risk of developing the disorder, including:

Diet and weight loss concerns

Engaging in restrictive diets and having concerns about weight, body shape, or appearance can increase the risk of bulimia nervosa. Unbalanced dieting can lead to feelings of deprivation, which may trigger binge eating episodes. 

Mental health

Factors such as depression, anxiety, or substance use disorders, as well as characteristics of perfectionism and/or impulsivity can be associated with a higher risk of bulimia nervosa. 

Trauma and stress

Traumatic life events can increase the risk of bulimia nervosa. Binge eating and purging can become unhealthy coping mechanisms when in emotional distress.

What does bulimia nervosa treatment look like?

treatment

Monte Nido can help

This severe psychological and medical condition requires clinical, psychological, and nutritional care so you can stabilize your mental and physical well-being and develop tools to live life more fully.

In other treatment facilities, it is typical for only 45% of people with bulimia to experience recovery after treatment, and the highest recovery rate happens between 4 and 9 years after treatment has started (Steinhausen et al., 2009). 

You don’t have to wait years or flip a coin on your recovery. Our research has shown that 75% of clients improve after 6 months of treatment, with the majority of clients reporting improvement in their depression, anxiety, and quality of life. We provide comprehensive, evidence-based treatment programs to support individuals in overcoming bulimia nervosa and enjoy lasting recovery. With a variety of treatment options, from intensive 24/7 care to virtual support, you can recover and reclaim your life.

Our dedicated doctors, nurse practitioners, dietitians, therapists, social workers, and mental health counselors will customize your treatment plan and provide individual and group therapy sessions. We’re here to give you the best chance for long-term recovery, which you deserve

If you have more questions about bulimia nervosa treatment at Monte Nido, please reach out.

  • - -
  • Level of care client is interested in

  • By submitting this form, I agree to Monte Nido's Privacy Policy & Terms of Use

  • Should be Empty:
or by calling
888-228-1253

Frequently asked bulimia nervosa questions

Having questions is natural, we’re here to help you find answers and feel confident in your ability to recover.
What are further signs and symptoms of bulimia nervosa?

Some physical symptoms may include:

  • Dental issues, including tooth decay, chipped teeth, or stained or yellow teeth
  • Swelling of cheeks, mouth, or jaw
  • Calluses on hands and knuckles
  • Mouth sores
  • Changing voice
  • Cardiac issues
  • Menstruation disturbances
  • Dehydration
  • Fatigue
  • Weight fluctuation

Behavioral symptoms may include:

  • Eating excessive amounts of food
  • Self-induced vomiting
  • Abuse of laxatives and diuretics
  • Excessive exercising
  • Extreme fluid intake

Emotional symptoms of bulimia may include:

  • Depression, anxiety
  • Extreme fear of gaining weight
  • Low self-esteem and dissatisfaction with one’s appearance
  • Social withdrawal
  • A lack of self-control
  • Denial of binging, purging, and other harmful behavior
What other signs of bulimia nervosa should I look for?

Creation of lifestyle schedules or rituals to make time for binge-and-purge sessions:

  • Individuals with bulimia nervosa can develop food rituals such as only eating certain types of food or food groups or only eating in certain situations. They can feel uncomfortable eating around other people, fear eating in public, skip meals or drink large amounts of water, and steal or hoard food.
  • A person who needs bulimia treatment might also schedule time for binging and purging, dress in baggy clothes to hide their body, frequently diet, have extreme mood swings, or withdraw from friends and activities they once enjoyed.

Other warning signs of bulimia include:

  • Disappearance of food in a short time
  • Frequent trips to the bathroom after meals
  • Presence of food wrappers or containers
  • Eating meals in secrecy
  • Creation of lifestyle schedules or rituals to make time for binge-and-purge sessions.
  • Physical signs or smells of vomiting
  • General behavior and attitude indicate that weight loss, dieting, and control of food are becoming primary concerns
Who can struggle with bulimia nervosa?

Bulimia can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, body size, or background. It is most common in young women but also affects young men, transgender individuals, and older adults.

Are people who struggle with bulimia nervosa always underweight?

Although the purging behaviors are undertaken to prevent weight gain or counteract the calories taken in during a binge eating episode, bulimia nervosa doesn’t usually result in extreme weight loss in the same way that anorexia nervosa does.

In most cases, bulimia nervosa doesn’t cause major weight loss, and many people with the disorder are at a “normal” weight or even in heavier presenting bodies. There are many different body types, and any of them can host an eating disorder. You can’t judge a book by its cover, and you can’t diagnose an eating disorder by a person’s weight.

More FAQs

Learn more about Bulimia Nervosa

For loved ones
May 9, 2025
8 min read

What to Do If You Think Your Child Has Bulimia Nervosa

Read more
For providers
August 2, 2022
8 min read

Multidisciplinary Approaches to Treating Bulimia Nervosa

Read more
For you
December 30, 2021
8 min read

Bulimia Nervosa, Body Image, and Rejecting the Myth of the “Perfect Body”

Read more
See all blog posts

Recovery is possible

You can remove the shame and break the cycles of bulimia nervosa. Let us help.
Reach out to us
or call
888-228-1253
to speak confidentially with one of our eating disorders specialists to start the road to recovery.
Treatment
  • What we treat
  • Who we serve
  • Our programs
  • Admissions
  • Financial considerations
  • FAQ
  • Our approach
  • Eating disorder quiz
Locations
  • All locations
  • Arizona
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Connecticut
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Idaho
  • Illinois
  • Maine
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • Missouri
  • Montana
  • Nevada
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • Ohio
  • Oregon
  • Pennsylvania
  • Rhode Island
  • South Carolina
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Vermont
  • Virginia
  • Washington
  • Virtual
For You
For loved ones
  • Caring for loved ones
  • Virtual support groups
  • Resources for loved ones
For clients & alumni
  • Post-treatment support
  • Virtual support groups for alumni
  • Request a medical record
  • Resources
for providers
  • Referrals 101
  • Continuing education
  • Meet our Outreach Team
About Us
  • What Monte Nido is
  • Trusted outcomes
  • Leadership
  • Advocacy
  • Testimonials
  • Our work in the news
  • Blog
  • Glossary
  • Careers
Contact Us
  • Reach out to us
  • Request a medical record
Monte Nido logo
Monte Nido Walden LogoMonte Nido Clementine LogoMonte Nido Rosewood Logo
Accredited by Joint Commission, and proud members of the Residential Eating Disorder Consortium and Eating Disorders Coalition
REDC, EDC, APA logos
888-228-1253
© 2024 Monte Nido. All rights reserved.
Accessibility Policy
Data Notification
Privacy Policy
Privacy Practices
Terms and Conditions