It's tough when you start to notice that something's not right with how you eat or see your body. Maybe you haven't talked to anyone about it yet because it's scary to open up, and the road to recovery might seem daunting. But the first step to getting better is understanding that it's okay to ask for help – and that's a really brave thing to do.
Bulimia can make you feel like you're the only one going through this, but that's not true. Sharing your experience with a qualified specialist can help you feel less alone, find support, and get better. We're here to listen without any judgment.
Bulimia nervosa, also simply known as bulimia, is an eating disorder and complex mental health condition. It’s most often associated with what's known as the cycle of “bingeing” and “purging”. This cycle involves a period of eating lots of food (“bingeing”) followed by trying to get rid of the excess calories (“purging”). Someone with bulimia might feel like parts of their life are out of control and use the purging to get that feeling of control back.
It’s essential to recognise that while a lot of information talks about the association between bulimia and vomiting, purging isn’t always about being sick. Sometimes, people with bulimia will purge by excessively exercising, fasting, or taking diuretics and laxatives.
The long-term effects of bulimia can be dangerous and life-threatening. Nutritional deficiencies and other physical conditions are common in people with bulimia. While food and body image are very much part of bulimia, there are often deeper emotional issues involved. With dedicated and compassionate support, many people make a full recovery from bulimia.
We understand that overcoming bulimia is a process that takes time, compassion and empathy. We’re here with you every step of the way. Our dedicated team has years of experience successfully helping those who have bulimia to make a full recovery. We combine evidence-based treatments with highly personalised care and specialist knowledge.
We recognise that finding the right help and support is essential. At the London Psychiatry Clinic, we have highly trained specialists to help you identify and deal with the underlying reasons behind the problems you’re facing.
Here’s what our treatment approach looks like:
Following your assessment, some of the treatment options we offer include:
Our specialists will provide information about bulimia in a clear way that is easy to grasp. Developing a deeper understanding of what you are going through can make it easier to manage symptoms. For instance, we might discuss particular triggers that give you a sense of being out of control. We'll go over practical coping strategies for handling tension and worry. We'll also provide advice on how to keep up a positive relationship with food and your body. Every piece of information we offer is customised to fit your particular needs and experiences.
Talking therapy provides a safe space for you to talk freely about how you’re feeling with a qualified specialist. Safely and compassionately looking at your issues with food, weight and body image is vital for your healing journey. Types of talking therapy include:
While there isn’t a medication used specifically for bulimia, we understand that there are often underlying emotional issues contributing to the problem. Sometimes we might recommend medications like antidepressants alongside other therapies to help while we explore those deeper challenges. Whatever the approach, we will always discuss every available treatment pathway with you.
If you have bulimia, it’s likely you aren’t getting all the vitamins and minerals your body needs to function at its best. We will work with expert dieticians and nutritionists who can help you develop a healthy eating plan and create a healthy relationship with food.
From experience, we know that having support at home can be extremely valuable on your path to healing. If it’s something that feels right for you, we’ll speak with family, carers or those you live with about your diet so they can help too.
The warm and welcoming atmosphere at the London Psychiatry Clinic gives you the space and time you need to understand and manage your eating disorder. We are with you every step of the way. Book a Consultation with one of our experienced specialists today.
Reaching out for help can often be the hardest step on the path to healing and you’ve come so far already. You are only one phone call away from someone who will understand, empathise and help you with what you are going through. So pick up, dial in and call us now, we are ready to listen and support.
