Living with Bulimia Nervosa (BN)

Bulimia Treatment and Therapy in Toronto

What is Bulimia?

Bulimia is an eating disorder characterized by a distorted body image and cycles of binge eating and purging or compensatory behaviour. There is a sense of lack of control during binging episodes, and the purging or compensatory behaviour is in response to a fear of gaining weight. Binging episodes can result in the individual feeling overly full to the point of painful stomach aches, drowsiness, or guilt. Fortunately, there are many effective virtual and in-person treatments and therapies in Toronto that can help children manage the challenges faced with bulimia.

There are two types of bulimia:

• Purging type:

  • Regularly engages in purging (i.e. throwing up, laxatives) after a binging episode

• Non-purging type:

  • Regularly engages in compensatory behaviours (i.e. excessive exercising, fasting) after a binging episode

What are Common Symptoms of Bulimia?

Children with bulimia may show the following symptoms:

• Frequent episodes of binge eating (i.e. eating large amounts of food in an certain amount of time) and purging/compensatory behaviours

• Hoarding or stealing food

• Feeling out of control when binging

• Use bathroom frequently after eating

• Drink large amounts of water

• Distorted body image

• Skin irritations around the mouth, tooth decay and cavities due to throwing up

• Creates a schedule/rituals that allow time for binging-purging sessions

• Frequently diets

• Abdominal pain

• Constant weight changes

• Uses excessive amounts of mouthwash or mints

• Excessively exercising

• Irregular periods

• Difficulties concentrating

• Engage in ritualistic eating habits (i.e. eats only a certain type of food)

How to Support Children with Bulimia?

• For instructions:

  • Allow for flexibility with tasks to reduce stress on the child

  • Use materials that promote positive body image and have a wide variety of body types

• For social skills:

  • Use role-play to teach the child how to start conversations and join groups

• For emotional regulation:

  • Create a list of strategies for the child to use as distractions after eating (i.e. art activity, reading a book)

Bulimia Support for Families

For individuals and families in Toronto struggling with bulimia, there are a variety of in-person and virtual treatments that may be beneficial, including:

• Bulimia or eating disorder programs and groups for kids

• Individual or family therapy

• Cognitive behavioural therapy

• Dialectical behavioural therapy

• Social skills training

• Emotional regulation training

• Bulimia or eating disorder parent training