Eating Disorder 101: What is Bulimia Nervosa?
Eating Disorder 101: What is Bulimia Nervosa?
October 2, 2022
Stefanie M. Lawson, MSW LCSW
The Mindfulness Space Psychotherapy Services, PLLC
Bulimia Nervosa is an eating disorder that is characterized by a cycle of uncontrollable binge eating or eating large quantities of food in a short period of time, followed by a period of “purging” to “correct or reverse the binge.” Purging may look very different depending on the person, but could include severely restricting food and caloric intake, fasting, misuse of laxatives or diuretics, over exercising, and inducing emesis or vomiting.
Because of the cycling between binging and purging, individuals with Bulimia Nervosa may maintain their weight or present as being overweight as it relates to their age, height and body composition.
Bulimia Nervosa can be accompanied by an extreme fixation on body image, such as body weight, or body shape. Additional risk factors that may contribute to the development of this eating disorder include
anxiety and emotional distress, depression, history of past unresolved trauma, body image grief and issues related to low self-esteem and self worth. Systemic risk factors can include financial insecurity, food insecurity, or the impact of social trauma or stressors such as discrimination.
Do you or does someone you know struggle with possible disordered eating?
Stefanie is a licensed therapist and owner of The Mindfulness Space Psychotherapy Services located in Greensboro North Carolina where she supports clients in developing healthier relationships with food, body and inner-self while following a Health at Every Size or HAES aligned framework!
Stefanie has over 7 years of clinical experience, as well as a personal understanding of what it’s like to live with and recover from disordered eating and negative body image issues. The Mindfulness Space provides individual and group outpatient psychotherapy services in order to support you during your journey to recovery!
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Are you new to therapy and want to learn more about what to expect? Read What to Expect: Three Unexpected Things That New Clients Can Expect From Therapy
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