Key Takeaways

  • People with bulimia nervosa often also have other mental health problems, like depression, anxiety, or drug or alcohol abuse.
  • Warning signs can be physical, mental, or emotional, and they can include eating very little, binging, and throwing up.
  • Co-occurring disorders can make recovery more complicated, so it’s essential to find them early and treat them together.
  • Outpatient treatment programs can be flexible while still giving you structured therapy and medical care.
  • The safest way to heal over time is to seek help from a professional, rather than trying to recover on your own.

Introduction

Bulimia nervosa is a severe eating disorder that affects millions of people around the world, but it doesn’t happen on its own very often. Research from the U.S. National Library of Medicine shows that bulimia is usually part of a complex mental health picture, frequently linked with disorders like depression, anxiety, borderline personality disorder, or substance abuse.  If someone has bulimia and another mental health problem at the same time, this is called a co-occurring disorder. To treat both issues at the same time, they need specialized, integrated care.

It’s essential to know the bulimia warning signs, especially when they come with other mental health problems, so that you can get help right away. Co-occurring disorders can make bulimia worse, make it last longer, and raise the risk of serious health problems like organ damage and even death. Knowing these warning signs can help friends and family get the proper care before the problem gets worse.

What Are The First Signs Of Bulimia?

Signs Of Bulimia

People with bulimia often have a mix of physical, emotional, and behavioural symptoms. Some of the most common signs that something is wrong early on are:

  • Binge eating a lot and then doing things to make up for it, like throwing up, working out too much, or abusing laxatives.
  • Worrying about your weight and body image, even when you’re at a healthy weight or a low weight.
  • Secretive eating habits, like going to the bathroom after meals.
  • Weight changes even though the body looks “normal” on the outside.
  • Physical signs include swollen salivary glands, dental erosion, calluses on the knuckles, and stomach problems.

When these symptoms show up with signs of depression, anxiety, or drug abuse, they may be a sign of a more complicated, dual-diagnosis condition.

What Do Co-Occurring Disorders Do To Bulimia?

Bulimia and other disorders that happen at the same time often make each other worse in a bad way. For instance, people who are anxious or depressed may binge and purge as a way to deal with their feelings. People may also develop substance use disorders, like alcohol dependence or stimulant abuse, as a way to deal with emotional pain or keep their appetite in check.

If you don’t treat these problems, they can get worse over time. Someone who has bulimia and a mental health disorder at the same time may have to deal with:

  • There are more medical risks, such as problems with electrolytes and the heart.
  • More emotional instability leads to more people hurting themselves and thinking about killing themselves.
  • More serious relapses occur if treatment for both disorders is not done at the same time.

Why Is Abusing Laxatives A Bad Sign?

People with bulimia often abuse laxatives, which is a dangerous behavior. People may use it to control their weight, make themselves feel less full, or as a way to punish themselves. According to Womenshealth.gov, long-term laxative abuse can result in:

  • Terrible dehydration
  • Imbalances in electrolytes
  • Harm to the digestive system
  • Relying on laxatives to have bowel movements

Laxative abuse is a strong sign that a co-occurring disorder may be present and needs immediate help if it is happening with mental health problems like severe anxiety, panic attacks, or substance use.

What Part Does Outpatient Treatment Play?

People with bulimia who don’t need to be hospitalized and have another disorder can get a lot of help from outpatient treatment. Patients can keep working, going to school, or taking care of their families while getting therapy, nutritional counseling, and medical monitoring as outpatients. A good outpatient treatment program should have:

  • Therapy for both mental health and eating disorders that work together.
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to deal with emotional triggers.
  • Nutritional rehabilitation to help people get back to eating well.
  • Medical supervision is provided to identify potential problems, such as heart arrhythmias or organ damage.

What Does Bulimia Nervosa Treatment Include?

Signs Of Bulimia

The best way to treat bulimia nervosa is to help the whole person, including their mind, body, and spirit. This could mean:

  • Individual therapy to deal with emotional triggers that are at the root of the problem.
  • Group therapy helps people support each other and be responsible.
  • Family counseling helps teach family members and strengthens support systems.
  • Medical and psychiatric care deals with both physical and mental health problems at the same time.

People who have both an eating disorder and a mental health condition should have their treatment plans tailored to deal with both issues.

Conclusion

Bulimia nervosa is a complicated and possibly deadly illness. The risks go up a lot when it happens with another mental health problem. The first step to saving a life is to know the warning signs and causes of bulimia, especially those that have to do with other conditions. Professional help is critical if you have binge-purge cycles, abuse laxatives, or signs of depression or anxiety.

If you or someone you care about is dealing with bulimia and another disorder at the same time, Virtue Recovery Center can help. They offer compassionate, evidence-based care that is tailored to each person’s needs. Call 866-461-3339 right now to find out how our programs can help you or someone you care about start a long-term recovery journey.

FAQs

What are the most common disorders that happen at the same time as bulimia?

Some of the most common co-occurring conditions are depression, anxiety disorders, borderline personality disorder, and substance use disorders.

How dangerous is it to abuse laxatives when you have bulimia?

Laxative abuse is a serious medical risk because it can cause severe dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and long-term damage to the intestines.

Is it possible for outpatient treatment to work for bulimia and other problems at the same time?

Yes, outpatient programs can work, primarily if they treat both the eating disorder and the mental health problem at the same time.

What are the treatments for bulimia nervosa?

In an integrated care model, treatment may include individual therapy, group therapy, nutritional counseling, and medical monitoring.

When should I get help for bulimia?

If you have frequent binge-purge episodes, significant changes in your weight, or any signs of other mental health problems, you should get help right away.

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