Treatment for bulimia takes time, but you can recover.
Depending on how long you've had bulimia and how severe it is, treatment can last several months or years.
Your treatment will be tailored to you. You will also get support you need for other mental health difficulties, such as depression or anxiety.
You may be referred to an eating disorder specialist.
The main treatments are:
- talk therapy
- medicines, such as antidepressants, if you have anxiety or depression
- support from a nutrition specialist (dietitian)
Treatment for adults
Treatment for adults often involves cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). This is a type of talk therapy.
CBT helps you manage difficulties by thinking in a more balanced way. It can help you identify unhelpful patterns of behaviour.
Your therapist will:
- find out how you think and feel about your weight and body shape
- try to understand what led you to think and feel this way
- help you to adopt regular eating habits and show you how to stick to them
They will show you ways to manage difficult feelings and situations. This will reduce your risk of a relapse after your therapy ends.
They will also help you develop a relapse-prevention plan for when therapy ends.
Treatment for children and young people
The main type of treatment for children and young people is a type of talk therapy called family therapy.
You will also:
- have regular physical health checks with your doctor
- be offered nutritional support to help with your eating patterns
You may also be offered CBT-E. This is a specific type of CBT for people with eating disorders.
Family therapy
You and your family will talk to a therapist. You will explore how bulimia has affected you and how your family can support you to get better.
Medicine
Treatment for bulimia can include an antidepressant, such as fluoxetine (Prozac).
Antidepressants can work with therapy or self-help treatment to help you manage other mental health difficulties such as:
Antidepressants can be prescribed for young people under 18. If your doctor believes medicine could be helpful, they will discuss it with you and your family.
Antidepressants should always be prescribed by a specialist doctor - a child and adolescent psychiatrist.
Where treatment will happen
You'll usually have appointments at a clinic.
But you may need to stay in hospital if:
- you have serious health problems (such as being very underweight)
- doctors are worried you're at risk of self-harm or suicide
Things you can do to help with bulimia
There are some things you can do that can help while you're recovering from bulimia.
Do
-
try to distract yourself after meals if you're worried about purging - it can help to try a new hobby or interest
-
rinse your mouth with water or a non-acidic mouthwash after vomiting to protect your teeth
-
make sure you see your dentist regularly
-
talk to people you trust about how you're feeling or find a support group
-
try writing your feelings down - especially if you find it hard to talk to people
Don't
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do not spend too much time looking in mirrors, checking your body or weighing yourself
-
do not go on websites or social media that encourage you to lose weight and stay at a very low body weight
-
do not drink or eat acidic foods (for example, fruit juice) during a binge or after vomiting
-
do not smoke, as this increases your risk of gum disease and tooth decay
Support for bulimia
If you have bulimia, you can get support from your GP. They are there to listen and help.
They'll refer you to an eating disorder specialist or another expert who will also support you with your recovery.
There are also charities and organisations that support people with bulimia and their families.
Spunout
spunout is Ireland’s youth information website created by young people, for young people. It has articles and information for young people on many topics, including mental health.
Free-text SPUNOUT to 50808.
Website: spunout.ie
Bodywhys
Confidential support, including a helpline, for people affected by eating disorders.
Phone: 01 210 7906
Website: bodywhys.ie
Eating disorders self-care app
The eating disorders self-care app from the HSE and Bodwhys contains:
- self-help tips, including mindfulness exercises
- information on treatment
- recovery stories
- a planner which includes a place to set goals and write a journal
You can access the app in your device's browser. You do not have to download it, but you can save it to your home screen or bookmark it.
'Walk in My shoes' podcast
Listen to a podcast about living with eating disorders.
Podcast series about eating disorders - walkinmyshoes.ie
Online or local support groups
It can be helpful to speak to other people who have bulimia.
There are many people offering support and sharing their stories in support groups, forums and on social media.
Bodywhys has online support groups for:
Content supplied by the NHS and adapted for Ireland by the HSE