Research suggests that people tend not to outgrow eating disorders like bulimia nervosa. Patterns of unhealthy eating that start in childhood or teen years can carry over, and sometimes worsen, as people get older. People of all ages, men and women, can be affected by bulimia nervosa. It is imperative that those exhibiting bulimia nervosa symptoms seek out bulimia treatment centers.
Bulimia treatment centers will help reduce or eliminate binge eating and purging behaviors associated with the eating disorder, as well as help patients learn helpful thinking patterns and positive behavioral changes.
Bulimia Treatment Centers
Bulimia treatment centers can offer treatment plans tailored to an individual’s needs and may include one or more of the following methods:
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Individual, group, and/or family psychotherapy
• Medical care
• Medication
• Monitored behavior
• Nutritional counseling
Depending on the severity of the effects from bulimia, patients may expect treatment to last for 30 days or up to 60 days.
Treatment for bulimia requires complete focus on the individual and each patient’s unique needs. Bulimia treatment centers will have a team of professionals in-house to treat bulimic patients. These include primary care providers, registered dieticians, psychologists and/or psychiatrists, nurses and therapists.
How Bulimia Treatment Centers Tackle Bulimia and Co-Occurring Disorders
Bulimia treatment centers can help patients overcome co-occurring issues that may accompany bulimia, including depression, anxiety, alcoholism, drug abuse or trauma. It is not uncommon for a co-occurring disorder to exist alongside bulimia; therefore, bulimia treatment centers will provide comprehensive treatment that extends to co-occurring issues associated bulimic behavior.
Bulimia treatment centers will focus on stabilizing patients’ physical health first in dual diagnosis cases, especially in cases of bulimia and substance abuse. Because of the physical toll on the body from bulimia and drug and alcohol addiction, tackling physical dependence will be a high priority. Close medical monitoring will also help to minimize any withdrawal symptoms that the patient may experience.
Physical stabilization at bulimia treatment centers also involves achieving a balanced diet. Once the patient is on a balanced diet, the patient will begin treatment for substance abuse and/or other mental health factors.