Bulimia Nervosa Disorder Treatment
Bulimia Nervosa is characterized by binge eating that is followed by compensatory methods to prevent gaining weight. A binge is an excessive amount of food consumed in a very short time period (less than 2 hours) usually highly caloric foods (e.g. chocolate, ice cream). The person usually binges in secrecy, experiences a total loss of control and later feels very ashamed and depressed. The most common compensatory method is vomiting (used by 80 to 90% of sufferers) which leads to a feeling of relief of their physical discomfort and a decrease of their fear of weight gain.
There are two types of Bulimia Nervosa: purging type and nonpurging type. There is frequently secondary anxiety and depression which subside after the person has overcome the Bulimia Nervosa. Binge eating behavior is often found among women who suffer from Borderline Personality Disorder.
The most effective treatment for Bulimia Nervosa is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Schema Therapy has also shown to be highly helpful when the sufferer presents a personality disorder (e.g. Borderline).
