About Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia Nervosa is an eating disorder that involves alternating periods of large intake of food with periods of fasting.  It also frequently involves purging, either through use of laxatives or enemas or intentional vomiting.

Bulimia is closely tied to body dissatisfaction, and is approximately nine times more common in women than in men.  Bulimia Nervosa produces several serious symptoms and side effects, including dehydration, inflammation of the esophagus, lacerations to the mouth and throat, tooth decay, constipation and ulcers.  More difficult to detect and diagnose than anorexia because there are usually no significant changes in overall body weight and sufferers tend to be average or above average in weight, bulimia typically manifests between the ages of 13 and 20.

The treatment for Bulimia Nervosa is often a combination of psychotherapy and medication, particularly anti-depressant medications seem to be helpful.  In many respects treatment for bulimia mirrors that for anorexia using one of more of cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy and dialectical behavior therapy.  Some have also used hypnotherapy, although the number is too small for scientific evaluation of results.  Typically a bulimic patient will also work with a nutritionist in conjunction with therapy to help establish healthy diet and eating habits.  Counseling often lasts for a year or more in cases of bulimia.

Family support is vital to sufferers of Bulimia Nervosa.  There are indications that bulimia is perhaps partly genetic in origin, but regardless of underlying root issues, body image, often a false or distorted body image, is at the heart of the illness.  Changes in meal menus and family eating schedules can be helpful to promoting healthy food consumption for bulimics and may provide important support against the danger of relapse after treatment has concluded.

Not all therapeutic boarding schools or therapeutic residential programs are alike! We can provide you with free information about the ones that would be perfect for your budget, designed to help your child with Bulimia Nervosa

We’re a free placement assistance service. We talk to hundreds of parents daily, matching them up with therapeutic boarding schools that can best help their teenager. We visit these therapeutic programs and we know the people there. We also get regular reports from parents who have enrolled their child in these programs, so we are in a unique position to provide you with that feedback.

There is never a fee for our complimentary service and our help does not affect any therapeutic program’s tuition. Just fill in the inquiry form on this site or call (888) 940-6278 (we answer calls 24/7) and we’ll provide the best possible options for your child, including everything you need to know about the various therapeutic residential programs and their costs.