Understanding Bulimia

An accessible and informative guide to understanding bulimia nervosa (BN), written specifically for clients.

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A psychoeducational guide. Typically containing elements of skills development.

Overview

Our ‘Understanding…’ series is a collection of psychoeducation guides for common mental health conditions. Friendly and explanatory, they are comprehensive sources of information for your clients. Concepts are explained in an easily digestible way, with plenty of case examples and accessible diagrams. Understanding Bulimia is designed to help clients with bulimia nervosa to understand more about their condition.

Why Use This Resource?

This guide aims to help clients learn more about bulimia nervosa (BN). It explains what BN is, what the common symptoms are, and effective ways to address it, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

Identify symptoms of BN and the factors that contribute to it.
Understand what keeps BN going.
Explore effective treatments for BN.
Gain insights into how people experience BN and how they overcome it.

Key Benefits

Comprehensive

Explores what bulimia nervosa (BN) is and what maintains it.

Relatable

Contains detailed examples and relatable case studies.

Supportive

Written in a friendly and accessible manner.

Hopeful

Outlines effective treatment options.

Who is this for?

Bulimia nervosa

For individuals who experience episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors such as vomiting, fasting, or excessive exercise.

Integrating it into your practice

Assess

Identify clients who may be experiencing bulimia nervosa (BN).

Provide the guide to clients who could benefit from it.

Educate

Use the content to inform clients about BN and help normalize their experiences.

Reflect

Discuss the client’s personal experience with BN.

Intervene

Plan treatment with the client or direct them to other sources of help and support.

Theoretical Background & Therapist Guidance

Many people go through periods where their eating patterns change, but if these episodes become out of extreme, distressing, or frequent, they may indicate bulimia nervosa (BN).

BN is an eating disorder characterised by episodes of binge-eating (consuming large amounts of food in an uncontrolled way) followed by compensatory behaviours, such as vomiting or using laxatives, to prevent weight gain. Around 3 in every 100 women and 1 in every 100 men will develop bulimia at some point in their lives (van Eeden et al., 2021). Fortunately, psychological treatments - particularly cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) - have been shown to be highly effective in treating BN.

What's inside

Introduction to bulimia nervosa (BN).
Guidance for introducing and using the resource with clients.
Key references for learning more about BN.

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FAQs

Bulimia nervosa involves episodes of uncontrolled binge eating followed by compensatory actions like purging to prevent weight gain.

Important maintenance factors include extreme weight-control behaviors, overvalued beliefs about shape, weight, and eating, and using food to manage difficult emotions.

CBT is an effective therapy that focuses on addressing maladaptive thoughts and behaviors that maintain BN, helping individuals normalize their food intake.

How This Resource Improves Clinical Outcomes

By using this resource into their clinical practice, therapists can:

Identify individuals who may be experiencing anorexia nervosa (BN).
Help clients better understand their difficulties and what maintains them.
Explore treatment options.
Encourage hope and optimism about change.

References And Further Reading

van Eeden, A. E., van Hoeken, D., & Hoek, H. W. (2021). Incidence, prevalence and mortality of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 34, 515-524.
Waller, G., & Sheffield, A. (2008). Causes of bulimic disorders. Psychiatry, 7, 152-155.
Goncalves, S., Machado, B. C., Martins, C., Hoek, H. W., & Machado, P. P. (2016). Retrospective correlates for bulimia nervosa: A matched case-control study. European Eating Disorders Review, 24, 197-205.
Slade, E., Keeney, E., Mavranezouli, I., Dias, S., Fou, L., Stockton, S., Saxon, L., Waller, G., Turner, H., Serpell, L., Fairburn, C. G., & Kendall, T. (2018). Treatments for bulimia nervosa: A network meta-analysis. Psychological Medicine, 48, 2629-2636.
Bo-Linn, G. W., Santa Ana, C. A., Morawski, S. G., & Fordtran, J. S. (1983). Purging and calorie absorption in bulimic patients and normal women. Annals of Internal Medicine, 99, 14-17.
Hay, P. (2013). A systematic review of evidence for psychological treatments in eating disorders. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 46, 462-469.
NICE (2017). Eating Disorders: Recognition and Treatment. NICE Clinical Guideline 69. London: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.
Fairburn, C. G., Bailey-Straehler, S., Basden, S., Doll, H. A., Jones, R., Murphy, R., O’Connor, M. E., & Cooper, Z. (2015). A transdiagnostic comparison of enhanced cognitive behavior therapy (CBT-E) and interpersonal psychotherapy in the treatment of eating disorders. Behavior Research and Therapy, 70, 64-71.
Polnay, A., James, V. A. W., Hodges, L., Murray, G. D., Munro, C., & Lawrie, S. M. (2014). Group therapy for people with bulimia nervosa: systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychological Medicine, 44, 2241-2254.
Fairburn, C. G. (2008). Cognitive behavior therapy and eating disorders. Guilford Press.
Waller, G., Cordery, H., Corstorphine, E., Hinrichsen, H., Lawson, R., Mountford, V., & Russell, K. (2007). Cognitive behavioral therapy for eating disorders: A comprehensive treatment guide. Cambridge University Press.

A Guide To Emotions

Understanding Bulimia

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Guide (PDF)

Overview

Why Use This Resource?