Search and Explain bulimia – how would I treat and help someone with bulimia?

Luke Newman

            Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by episodes of binge-eating or over-eating followed by some method of weight gain prevention.  This prevention is commonly done by vomiting or overuse of a laxative product.  Female adolescents are the most common sufferers of bulimia.  Probably the most important treatment someone with moderate to severe bulimia can get is what we’ve already talked about in class, cognitive behavior therapy.  The goal of therapy is to try to change the patient’s mindset in an effort to help them better and improve themselves.  Through cognitive therapy, hopefully the patient will improve their self-image and become a happier, healthier, and more confident person.  For patients with mild bulimia (and really all patients with bulimia), it is important to get support from family and friends as they try to overcome this obstacle in life.  If therapy/cognitive behavior therapy are not successful, a patient may be started an antidepressant drug.  After a patient has had success beating bulimia, it is important to remind them that relapses are somewhat common and not to be discouraged.

"Bulimia: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia." U.S National Library of Medicine. U.S. National Library of Medicine, n.d. Web. 18 Sept. 2013.