Hidden, exhausting, and treatable.
YOU MIGHT RECOGNIZE THIS
What bulimia feels like from the inside
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You feel relief in the moment, and shame almost immediately after.​
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​You have tried to stop more than once. The cycle always finds its way back.​
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The secrecy has become its own kind of exhaustion. You are carrying more than anyone around you knows.
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Food can feel like both a comfort and a threat, sometimes in the same moment.​​​
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You can seem okay to the world while carrying something no one else can see.​​
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Food disappears from the kitchen faster than it should, and your teen spends a long time in the bathroom after meals.​
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You have noticed the secrecy more than anything: the closed door, the wrappers, the change in mood after eating.
UNDERSTANDING THE DIAGNOSIS
What is Bulimia Nervosa?
Bulimia nervosa involves cycles of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors such as purging, restriction, or excessive exercise. It is often invisible to those closest to the person struggling, which can make it feel even more isolating.​
Bulimia affects people of all genders, ages, body sizes, and backgrounds. Most people with bulimia appear to be at a typical weight, which means it often goes undetected for years. If you recognize yourself here, your struggle is real and it deserves care.
SYMPTOMS
Some common signs of bulimia nervosa include:
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​Recurring binge eating episodes
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Strong feelings of shame or guilt around food
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Preoccupation with body shape and weight​​
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​​Purging, restriction, or compulsive exercise after eating
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Eating in secret or hiding food
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Feeling out of control around food
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Mood fluctuations tied to eating​​​​​
TREATMENT
How I treat Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia runs on a cycle, and the cycle has to be interrupted for anything else to change. So from the beginning we work on regular eating, because restriction is what sets up the next binge, and on getting through the moments after eating without purging. This is practical, week-by-week work, and it starts early. Because bulimia can affect the heart, the teeth, and the gut, I ask that a physician be part of your care.
At the same time we look at what the cycle has been managing for you: the pressure it releases, the feelings it interrupts, the shame that keeps it secret. Bulimia is not a failure of willpower. It is a way of coping that has turned on you, and understanding that is what lets you put it down.
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For teens, parents are part of the work from the start. Bulimia is often hidden longer than other eating disorders, and a parent who knows what to watch for and how to respond without shaming changes the course of recovery. There are many factors behind an eating disorder, and your support is what will do the most to move things forward.
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Related: Binge eating disorder, Anorexia nervosa, Support for families and loved ones.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Frequently asked questions
01
I have been doing this for years. Is it too late to recover?
It is never too late. I have worked with people who have struggled with bulimia for decades and have gone on to full recovery.
02
Is bulimia physically dangerous?
Yes. Over time bulimia can cause serious medical complications including electrolyte imbalances, dental erosion, and gastrointestinal issues. I always recommend working alongside a physician as part of your care.
03
What if I am not ready to stop completely?
That is okay. Ambivalence is normal and expected. We do not begin by demanding that you stop immediately. We begin by understanding the cycle, building skills, and creating conditions where change becomes possible.
04
My teen denies it. What do I do?
Denial is almost universal at first, because shame is part of the illness. Do not try to catch them out. Say what you have noticed, calmly, once, and that you are getting help either way. I can begin with you alone and we will work toward bringing your teen in.
INSURANCE
Out-of-Network
Superbill provided
PAYMENT
Credit & debit​​
cards accepted
SESSION FEE
$250
per session
SESSION LENGTH
45
minutes