A bulimia sufferer could be a guarded and self-indulgent person who has difficulty delaying pleasure in a multitude of areas in her life.  Their eating disorder may cause numerous health issues, such as stomach problems, intestinal disorders, dental damage, and perhaps drug and alcohol problems.  The act of repeatedly vomiting causes a chemical imbalance, which could lead to mood swings.  The bulimic tends to have feelings of isolation.

How The Victorian Treats Bulimia

The Victorian is a leading treatment center in California for bulimia.  It has achieved that distinction by combining a knowledgeable and experienced staff with a beautifully pleasant and relaxed setting.  Those that have received help for bulimia nervosa at our facilities instantly feel comfortable with our doctors and therapists while living in the same area as other women that are united in overcoming the same eating disorders.

If you would like to learn more about what receiving treatment is like at The Victorian, including the daily program schedule and additional insights, please read more about our eating disorder treatment program.

Begin your first step to recovery by calling (888)268-9182 on behalf of yourself or a loved one.  Or, you may also begin by filling out a confidential request for assessment.  Next, an expert eating disorder staff member will be in contact that will be able to answer any questions you could have regarding treatment for bulimia. 

Our staff at The Victorian will be able to assess the optimal amount of treatment that each respective woman requires.  If the evaluation reveals that treatment is appropriate, then each woman can start by taking a tour of our facility and subsequently be admitted for treatment of her bulimia nervosa. 

To make the woman feel more comfortable and open about sharing the issues underlying her bulimia, the female doctors and counselors at The Victorian seeks to develop a mutually trusting relationship.  This gives the eating disorder sufferer the optimal environment for successful treatment.  A thorough medical examination is performed on each patient to evaluate her medical status and health.  Based on the evaluation, each woman commences on her uniquely tailored recovery program.  Each respective treatment process involves all-day long groups and workshops, including:

• Group therapy
• Individual one-on-one therapy
• Body image groups
• The making-of and eating of meals in a group setting
• Outings to restaurants, supervised and as a group (part of phases 3 and 4)
• Support groups with 12-step program
• Education on nutrition
• Living arrangements which are closely monitored and structured

In our experience, outdoor activities and physical fitness are a vital component to recovery and assists in the restoration of mind and spirit, enhancing each woman’s recovery-based therapeutic activities.  This helps each patient in maintaining stable and consistent progress.  These physical activities not only contribute to building self-esteem, but also demonstrate that women can “have fun and feel good about [themselves] while doing it all with a healthy diet.”

To discover more detailed information, please see The Victorian’s daily activities schedule for eating disorder treatment

The Causes of Bulimia – Discovering the Underlying Issues

The eating disorder staff at The Victorian has performed widespread and extensive research into uncovering the issues that may underlie the causes of bulimia.  Although it is important to uncover these underlying issues in order to treat the disorder, it is equally as important family members and loved ones not feel guilt or responsibility about the bulimia.

Of course, each woman is unique, with unique personalities and experiences, so each woman has developed different factors that has contributed to her bulimic bingeing and/or purging.  Bulimia nervosa is not caused by just one factor, event, or person.  Rather bulimia is developed by a combination of different varieties of influential factors. These factors may include:

• Personally traumatic events
• Inherited biological and genetic factors
• Unrealistic expectations of physical appearance from the media
• Expectations placed by the pressures of society
• Familial systems
• Psychological factors 

Bulimia results as an eating disorder through a mix of some of the above factors causing a negative personal self-image.  As part of the treatment in therapy, all these issues will be thoroughly explored.  The Victorian also offers family therapy as an option in our treatment program.  To help in the bulimic eating disorder recovery process, a caring support group is very valuable and beneficial.

Bulimia Nervosa Symptoms

It can be very hard to recognize when someone has bulimia.  Those who spend the most time with a woman, her family, could struggle with facing the issues underlying her bulimia.  This may oftentimes lead to denial that the eating disorder even exists.  To discover the warning signs, look for the following:

• Binge eating – a common symptom for girls and women who visit The Victorian.  They may have been binge eating an average of two times a week or more for months.
• Feelings of regret after binges.  These include shame, guilt, and/or physical distress.
• Purging (through forced vomiting, diuretics, or laxatives), fasting, or exercising after binges in order to compensate
• Psychopathologic disturbance due to irrational fear of being fat and perceived distortion of their own body
• Feelings of being unable to control one’s own eating, such as how much they eat or not being able to stop eating
• Eating more than is considered normal for a short period of time
• Excessively evaluating self-worth through personal weight and physical appearance
• Health issues, such as enlarge salivary glands, decaying teeth, dehydration, and scarred hands, which are symptoms of purging behavior
• Chronic problems with bowels
• Irregular heartbeat rhythm – or cardiac arrhythmias