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Learn more about the results we get at Within

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Tips for recovering from bulimia nervosa at home

Although experiencing bulimia nervosa (BN), a serious eating disorder, can be challenging and scary, many people who struggle with the disorder are able to find support and recover.1

Some people with bulimia nervosa receive treatment at a hospital or specialized eating disorder treatment center during part of their recovery process.2 While these facilities and programs can be helpful for some individuals during their bulimia recovery, the healing work continues long after they have returned home.

Regardless of whether an individual receives bulimia treatment at an inpatient or outpatient program, at some point, they will need to lean more on themselves and continue healing at home. This process is often challenging and non-linear, but fortunately, there are many ways to help those in bulimia recovery continue to make progress, wherever they are. 

5
 minute read
Last updated on 
March 27, 2023
Bulimia recovery at home
In this article

Stay aware and active

Many people undergo psychotherapy as part of a bulimia nervosa treatment plan, and many of these therapeutic methods help point out the thoughts and situations that may trigger their eating disorder thoughts and behaviors.

Identifying these triggers is important. It’s especially vital to remember them—and when possible, avoid them after coming home. Being surrounded by potentially tempting or negative people or situations can make recovery difficult.

This is why it’s also important to develop and maintain boundaries during bulimia recovery—and to follow them. Let people know what you are or aren’t willing to tolerate, and then stick to your word. You may also want to brush up on any tools you learned in therapy to help you deal with triggers that affect your eating habits, unhelpful thoughts, or behaviors when they do arise.

Find a healing outlet that works

Unfortunately, anxiety and depression often go hand-in-hand with bulimia nervosa and other eating disorders. But working on these concurrent conditions can also help keep the urge to binge and purge at bay.

A number of methods can be used to help address anxiety and depression, including:

  • Writing in a journal
  • Practicing daily meditation or mindfulness
  • Drawing
  • Dancing
  • Singing
  • Going for walks
  • Engaging in charity work
  • Visiting friends
  • Cleaning and organizing

Certain forms of therapy also encourage bulimia patients to participate in activities that are both personally meaningful and in line with their personal values. 

Whatever your method is, utilizing it will not only help you feel better but work as a supportive and less destructive channel for any energy that may have been spent on harmful disordered eating behaviors and thoughts.

Build (and maintain) a support system

One of the greatest resources for anyone hoping to maintain eating disorder recovery is a strong support system.

Having people around who can act as a sounding board when you need to vent or be there for you in moments of doubt or weakness is an invaluable asset. It eases the loneliness, diffuses the pain, and reduces the chance of relapse, by keeping you accountable and making it harder to isolate. Eating disorders like bulimia nervosa flourish in the dark, and a strong support system will act as both light and mirror, especially in the maintenance stage.

Your support system should be made up of people you trust, and people you know have your best interest at heart. Try to stay away from people who are overly critical, negative, hurtful, or may encourage unhealthy body image.

Check in with your support system often. These can be family members and friends, your partner, or members of your treatment team. A number of support groups—both online and in-person—have also been created to help people in bulimia recovery avoid focusing on things like weight gain or food intake.

Keep up with therapy

A trusted therapist can also be a valuable part of a support system when in recovery from eating disorder behaviors and is often recommended as part of the treatment process.

Most people who go through formal treatment for bulimia nervosa attend some type of therapy as part of their recovery plan. But that practice doesn’t have to stop when the treatment plan does.

Keeping up with therapy can be a vital way to stay in touch with the inner thoughts that may be causing you trouble, distress, or confusion, especially as you encounter different situations after returning home from a treatment facility.

Formal therapy for eating disorder recovery can be expensive or difficult to secure. Even for people with limited healthcare options, there are numerous ways to find this kind of help. 

Self-help programs for eating disorders

A number of self-help programs have been developed to help people in eating disorder recovery—particularly if you're trying to overcome bulimia nervosa. These programs may involve workbooks, online modules, or hybrid forms of therapy that include limited engagement with trained therapists or other people in recovery.

Virtual treatment

There are also many virtual treatment options that may be helpful for a number of people. Our programs at Within can make this type of care accessible, transportable, and easy to follow, while also putting you in touch with the type of real-world support that can help you in your bulimia recovery.

Keep in mind that seeking this type of help is especially important if you feel close to relapse. Unfortunately, relapses and slip-ups can happen and may feel devastating. However, meeting yourself with grace and compassion during those times is very important. It can help you to better utilize the support you have and be open and motivated to ask for more help if necessary and to rebound from setbacks.

Bulimia recovery may feel challenging, and sometimes seem frustrating or impossible, but the path toward healing has its rewards, no matter how many twists or turns it takes. Speaking with someone who’s trained to help is one of the best ways to make sure that you have what you need to stay on your recovery journey.

Disclaimer about "overeating": Within Health hesitatingly uses the word "overeating" because it is the term currently associated with this condition in society, however, we believe it inherently overlooks the various psychological aspects of this condition which are often interconnected with internalized diet culture, and a restrictive mindset about food. For the remainder of this piece, we will therefore be putting "overeating" in quotations to recognize that the diagnosis itself pathologizes behavior that is potentially hardwired and adaptive to a restrictive mindset.

Disclaimer about weight loss drugs: Within does not endorse the use of any weight loss drug or behavior and seeks to provide education on the insidious nature of diet culture. We understand the complex nature of disordered eating and eating disorders and strongly encourage anyone engaging in these behaviors to reach out for help as soon as possible. No statement should be taken as healthcare advice. All healthcare decisions should be made with your individual healthcare provider.

Resources

  1. Eddy, K. T., Tabri, N., Thomas, J. J., Murray, H. B., Keshaviah, A., Hastings, E., Edkins, K., Krishna, M., Herzog, D. B., Keel, P. K., & Franko, D. L. (2017). Recovery From Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa at 22-Year Follow-Up. The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 78(2), 184–189.
  2. Hay, P. J., Touyz, S., Claudino, A. M., Lujic, S., Smith, C. A., & Madden, S. (2019). Inpatient versus outpatient care, partial hospitalisation and waiting list for people with eating disorders. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 1(1), CD010827.

FAQs

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