Bulimia's Many Forms

Bulimic purging is most commonly associated with induced vomiting, but we also see the use of diuretics and laxatives.  Our years of bulimia nervosa treatment have made us the trusted authority on alternative bulimic patterns.

"Other" Types of Bulimia

Bulimia can also take the form of “exercise bulimia” and fasting.  In fact, women who suffer from bulimia will sometimes engage in a variety of practices to continue the pattern of bingeing and purging.

Exercise Bulimia - Anorexia Athletica

Women who are using excessive physical activities to burn calories of food energy and fat reserves are “exercise bulimics.”  This type of disorder is known in the medical community as anorexia athletica. Exercise bulimia is not healthy and causes the body harm.  Women who are practicing exercise bulimia tend to obsess about exercise, exercise when they are injured or while sick, get very upset if they can’t exercise, and define their self worth through their performance (and body image).

Women who have exercise bulimia are also can also be said to have exercise addiction.  Exercise addiction sometimes presents itself with obsessive compulsive disorder  Our staff of admissions counselors can assist anyone who is concerned that a loved one is practicing exercise bulimia.

Exercise Bulimia Quiz

When does Exercise Become Exercise Bulimia?

According to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), these questions can be quite enlightening if answered honestly about a woman who may be suffering from anorexia athletica. 

• Does the woman have an excessive preoccupation with an exercise routine?
  
• Does the woman Ignore other obligations in favor of exercise?
• Does the woman Refuse to take days off from exercise even when exhausted, injured or ill?
• Does the woman get feelings of anxiety, anger and guilt when the exercise routine is disrupted?
  
• Is the woman always exercising alone to avoid have her exercise routine disturbed
  
• Does the woman turn down social events that interfere with exercise?
• Does the woman engage in excessive exercise beyond the dictates of common sense?
• Is the woman's self-esteem is dictated by exercise performance?
• Does the woman suffer from physical symptoms including insomnia, an elevated resting heart rate, fatigue and lethargy?
• Is the woman experiencing deteriorating physical performance levels?
  

If you you wanted

Fasting

Fasting is a practice that almost all sufferers of eating disorders participate in.  In the bulimic’s case, going without any food is a type of “purging” because it causes the body to burn calories of stored food energy.  Fasting (like excessive exercising) is not a healthy practice. 

Fasting is sometimes combined with the ingestion of diet pills to help keep the appetite down.  In some cases, illegal amphetamines like crystal methamphetamine are used to curb the appetite and sustain energy.  Both legal and illegal amphetamines can lead to

Further Mental Health Concerns

Women (and men) who suffer symptoms of a bulimic eating disorder often also suffer from another mental health disorder like depression, PTSD, or anxiety.  Women who seek treatment at our eating disorder treatment facility often arrive here with a co-occurring addiction to drugs or alcohol.

Our experience treating women with eating disorder and a dual diagnosis such as depression or addiction has shown us that it is best to treat the co-occurring disorders simultaneously.  Every woman who has the courage to seek treatment for an eating disorder deserves a personalized treatment program that is tailored to her exact needs.

Getting Help

Eating disorders are widespread and dangerous.  Various studies show that between 1-9% of women in the United States suffer from an eating disorder.  The deadliness of eating disorders warrant the close review of every suspected case, but identification is tricky because of secretive behaviors, shame and patterns of denial – that can permeate the entire family.

While struggling with an eating disorder (or knowing someone who may be) can make you feel helpless and confused, the path to recovery becomes clear once help is sought.  Everything becomes easier the minute you pick up the phone and start asking questions. Our team of admissions specialists is standing by to answer your questions and all calls are confidential.