How is bulimia nervosa treated?
Those suffering from bulimia nervosa often binge in order to stop feeling overwhelmed and to alter an unpleasant mood. Purging is an attempt to undo the damage of excess calories. The binge/purge behavior becomes the glue that holds together day-to-day survival. At the same time, the fear of gaining weight causes them to engage in dieting and other restrictive eating. Certain foods are declared forbidden and rules are set up to regulate eating. Internally bulimics are very self-critical, often holding themselves to high standards of performance for everything. Soon they begin to feel deprived, tense, and overwhelmed, which sets the stage for the next binge/purge episode. Treatment focuses on normalizing eating and “legalizing” formerly forbidden foods. In addition, the inner war between they critical self and the rebel eater must be resolved. The bottom line in the treatment of bulimia is to identify and change fundamental belief systems and address the core pain that the bulimia serve
