Therapy for Bulimia
What is Bulimia?
Bulimia involves recurrent episodes of binge eating (eating large amounts of food in a short amount of time, eating more rapidly than normal, a sense of lack of control over eating during the episode) followed by purging or compensatory behaviors to prevent weight gain. Purging can show up in different ways such as vomiting, misuse of laxatives, excessive exercise, restricting, etc.
Living with bulimia is exhausting. You might tell yourself each time that you aren’t going to binge and purge again-but then, it continues to happen.
If this resonates with you-we can help!
Our team at The Eating Disorder Center in Rockville, Maryland has therapists that truly specialize in helping teens and adults to recover from bulimia and reclaim their lives. Recovery is possible!
We provide therapy for bulimia in Rockville, Maryland, serving Bethesda, Potomac, Gaithersburg, and Olney. We also provide therapy for bulimia virtually throughout Maryland, Virginia, Florida, Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania, and California.
We know that part of you may be scared to recover, while part of you desperately wants to be free from this. With specialized therapy geared towards helping you to recover from bulimia, you don't have to continue to feel so trapped.
Living with bulimia is exhausting. You might tell yourself each time that you aren’t going to binge and purge again-but then, it continues to happen.
If this resonates with you-we can help!
Our team at The Eating Disorder Center in Rockville, Maryland has therapists that truly specialize in helping teens and adults to recover from bulimia and reclaim their lives. Recovery is possible!
We provide therapy for bulimia in Rockville, Maryland, serving Bethesda, Potomac, Gaithersburg, and Olney. We also provide therapy for bulimia virtually throughout Maryland, Virginia, Florida, Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania, and California.
We know that part of you may be scared to recover, while part of you desperately wants to be free from this. With specialized therapy geared towards helping you to recover from bulimia, you don't have to continue to feel so trapped.
Symptoms of Bulimia
- Recurring episodes of binge eating:
- Eating large amounts of food (larger than one would typically eat) in a certain time period.
- Feeling a lack of control while eating.
- Eating until uncomfortably full.
- Eating alone because of shameful feelings around eating.
- Eating more rapidly than usual.
- Recurring episodes of purging to compensate for binge eating:
- Vomiting
- Misusing laxatives
- Misusing medications
- Excessive exercise
- Restricting
- Evaluation of self is directly related to body shape and weight.
How Can We Help?
At The Eating Disorder Center we are highly skilled in providing therapy for individuals who are struggling with bulimia. We help clients to make peace with food, their bodies and ultimately themselves. We will work as part of a treatment team to help you to recover from bulimia, which may include a physician, dietitian, and/or psychiatrist.
We use evidence-based treatment methods, including acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) skills, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and modified FBT treatment. We are Health At Every Size (HAES) informed providers. If there is co-occurring trauma we also offer offer EMDR therapy for trauma and eating disorders. We provide specific tools and skills to help clients to cope with urges to binge and purge. We also help clients to address underlying triggers, such as stress, trauma, difficult emotions, and restriction.
We pride ourselves on being action-oriented therapists, setting recovery goals, and doing exposures with clients, such as eating meals or snacks together. We value collaboration with other local eating disorder treatment providers. Many of our therapists are also personally recovered from eating disorders.
We are thankful to have helped many people to recover from bulimia.
We use evidence-based treatment methods, including acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) skills, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and modified FBT treatment. We are Health At Every Size (HAES) informed providers. If there is co-occurring trauma we also offer offer EMDR therapy for trauma and eating disorders. We provide specific tools and skills to help clients to cope with urges to binge and purge. We also help clients to address underlying triggers, such as stress, trauma, difficult emotions, and restriction.
We pride ourselves on being action-oriented therapists, setting recovery goals, and doing exposures with clients, such as eating meals or snacks together. We value collaboration with other local eating disorder treatment providers. Many of our therapists are also personally recovered from eating disorders.
We are thankful to have helped many people to recover from bulimia.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is bulimia nervosa?
Bulimia nervosa is a serious, yet treatable eating disorder characterized by cycles of binge eating followed by behaviors intended to prevent weight gain, such as vomiting, laxative use, fasting, or excessive exercise. These behaviors are often driven by intense concern about body weight and shape and can significantly impact both physical and emotional health.
What are the signs and symptoms of bulimia?
Common signs of bulimia include recurring binge eating episodes, purging behaviors, preoccupation with weight or body image, secrecy around food, and feelings of guilt or shame after eating. Physical symptoms may include sore throat, dental issues, gastrointestinal problems, fatigue, and fluctuations in weight.
How do I know if I have bulimia?
If you experience repeated cycles of binge eating followed by purging or compensatory behaviors, feel out of control around food, and are distressed by your eating patterns, it may be bulimia. Many people struggle silently for years. A professional assessment at The Eating Disorder Center can help determine a diagnosis and what level of support is needed.
What causes bulimia?
Bulimia develops from a combination of factors, including dieting and food restriction, body image concerns, emotional stress, trauma, anxiety or depression, and biological or genetic vulnerability. There is no single cause, and bulimia is not a personal failure—it is a mental health condition that requires care and understanding.
Why do people with bulimia purge?
Purging behaviors are often used to cope with fear of weight gain, emotional distress, or a sense of loss of control after binge eating. While purging may feel temporarily relieving, it reinforces the binge-purge cycle and can quickly become physically and psychologically harmful.
What are the health risks or long-term effects of bulimia?
Untreated bulimia can lead to serious health consequences, including electrolyte imbalances, heart complications, gastrointestinal damage, dental erosion, throat irritation, and increased risk of anxiety and depression. Early treatment can significantly reduce these risks and support recovery.
How is bulimia treated?
Bulimia is highly treatable with specialized care. Treatment often includes therapy to address eating behaviors and underlying emotional factors, nutrition counseling to normalize eating patterns, and medical monitoring when needed. At The Eating Disorder Center, treatment is individualized and focused on finding full recovery from bulimia.
Can bulimia be cured? / What is recovery like?
Full recovery from bulimia is possible. While everyone’s journey looks different, recovery typically involves reducing binge-purge behaviors, improving one’s relationship with food and body, and developing healthier coping skills. With the right support, many people achieve lasting full recovery and improved quality of life.
How do I stop bingeing and purging?
Stopping bingeing and purging usually requires professional support. Breaking the cycle involves addressing restriction, learning regular and balanced eating, and developing tools to cope with emotions and urges. Trying to stop on your own can be overwhelming—treatment provides structure, guidance, and support.
How do I tell someone or get help for bulimia?
Reaching out can feel difficult, but you don’t have to do it alone. Talking to a trusted person or contacting an eating disorder treatment provider is an important first step. The Eating Disorder Center offers confidential, compassionate care and can help you or your loved one begin the recovery process.
Therapy for bulimia in Rockville, Maryland, Serving Potomac, Bethesda, Gaithersburg, Montgomery County. Specializing in the treatment of bulimia, in Annapolis, Chevy Chase, Germantown and Olney.
Therapy for bulimia in Arlington, Virginia. Serving McLean, Vienna, Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Richmond, Leesburg, Purcellville, and Herndon. Specializing in the treatment of bulimia.