Bulimia nervosa is a severe eating disorder characterized by binge eating followed by purging to prevent weight gain, and it is classified as a mental illness due to its significant impact on mental health stemming from intrusive thoughts and behaviors. Treatment options include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), which aim to help individuals develop healthier relationships with food and cope with emotional stress. Seeking help from trained specialists is crucial for effective recovery and the prevention of severe physical and psychological consequences.

1. Is Bulimia
considered
a mental
illness?
By Ellern Mede

2. PRESENTATION
OVERVIEW
Introduction
What is Bulimia?
Treatment
About Eating Disorder
Contact Information

3. Bulimia Nervosa is a severe eating disorder characterised by
binge eating and then purging to prevent weight gain.
Individuals who have Bulimia are typically worried about their
body weight or self-image and may take drastic actions to lose
their weight. These harsh actions may include the misuse of
laxatives, diuretics, or excessive exercise.
The National Institute of Mental Health states that eating
disorders are life-threatening mental disorders. Bulimia can be
caused by genetic and environmental factors and affect a
person’s physical, emotional, and mental functions. That’s why
this eating disorder is considered a mental illness.

4. How Bulimia affects mental
health?
When you struggle with this eating disorder, your
brain functioning is impacted and shows the signs or
symptoms of acute problems. Your thoughts affect
your behaviours. For example, if you believe you are
overweight, just an idea of food is a hurting
reminder that you are not good enough. This
reminder can lead to behaviours like self-starving,
binging, or purging.

5. The intrusive thoughts and actions related to Bulimia Nervosa may affect a
person’s personal and professional life. Individuals with this eating disorder
show hidden purging or vomiting habits as well as reveal the use or misuse
of laxatives. In this case, people consume caloric intake and then do
excessive exercise and purge due to high levels of anxiety or stress. These
extreme levels of anxiety and stress can negatively impact a person’s mind
and body. These problems can be treated with Bulimia Nervosa treatment.

6. TREATMENT OF BULIMIA
Whether you or a loved one has Bulimia, it is
essential to be proactive and look for the best
treatment. If you understand the Bulimia is a
type of severe mental illness that can be
treated, the psychological and physical
consequences of Bulimia Nervosa can be
prevented. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
(CBT) and Dialectical Behavioural Therapy
(DBT) are two psychotherapy techniques
known for treating Bulimia.

7. CBT aims to help an individual in learning healthier ways of thinking about food and
rebuild their self-esteem. CBT is also great for treating selective eating disorder. CBT
therapy session for Bulimia encompasses three phases. In the first phase, the therapist
informs the patients regarding the harmful physiological effects of drastic actions,
helping them build a regular healthy eating pattern as well as an appropriate weight
monitoring schedule. The second shift includes education regarding reducing shape and
weight concerns and self-starvation behaviours. In the third phase, the focus shifts to
the maintenance and the prevention of recurring eating disorder.
On the other hand, DBT is developed to teach people living with Bulimia how to cope
with stress, control emotions, and live in the moment.

8. EATING DISORDER THERAPISTS CAN HELP YOU!
If you want to get rid of the eating disorder
quickly and effectively, you need to get in touch
with highly trained eating disorder recovery
specialists. They will not only improve your
physical health but also help you live a healthy
life again. If you want to try self-help version of
CBT to treat Bulimia, dedicated therapist can
also help you in this. Apart from that, they can
also overcome co-occurring disorders, which
refers to substance abuse and mental disorders.

9. Talk to UsMAILING ADDRESS
Ellern Mede RidgewayHolcombe
HillThe RidgewayMill HillLondon
NW7 4HX
PHONE NUMBER
+44 (0)20 3209 7900
EMAIL ADDRESS
info@ellernmede.org

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