Category: All Articles
Medical Complications of Eating Disorders
The specifics of how an eating disorder affects a person is based on any number of individual factors, including the types of eating disorders they’re struggling with, their medical history, and any mental health concerns, among others.
Anorexia Hotlines
Eating disorder hotlines can offer a great extension of help for people struggling with these mental health conditions, or those who are looking for eating disorder treatment centers where they can find further help.
Online vs. In-Person Treatment for Bulimia
Virtual treatment for bulimia nervosa (BN), or virtual treatment for any mental health disorder, can offer high-quality care. For many people, there isn’t a tangible difference in virtual therapy sessions versus traditional in-person treatment.
The Impact of Eating Disorders on Body Image
Negative body image and eating disorders are closely related, with negative body image being one of the most well-understood precursors to the development of an eating disorder.
Food Addiction Treatment Hotline
Food addiction is an issue we’re only beginning to understand and thoroughly research, but there are a number of resources that can help with this condition and other associated disorders.
Anorexia and Bulimia Support Groups
If you’re struggling with an eating disorder or in recovery, you may benefit from an eating disorder support group. There’s a variety of this type of help available, including online support groups and many free options.
Eating Disorders With Substance Use Disorder
Eating disorders and substance use disorders (SUDs) often coexist.
Researchers say up to 50% of people with diagnosed eating disorders use illicit drugs or alcohol, while 35% of people who are dependent on alcohol or drugs have an eating disorder. This represents rates 5 times and 11 times greater than what’s seen in the general population, respectively. [1]

Dangers of Medications When Treating Bulimia
Bulimia nervosa (BN) is a serious mental health condition, marked by periods of binge eating and compensatory purging behaviors, such as self-induced vomiting or excessive exercise.
The Dangers of Bulimia Nervosa and Alcohol Abuse
Many people with one mental health condition will be diagnosed with a comorbid, or co-occurring, disorder. One of the more common comorbid diagnoses is bulimia nervosa (BN) and substance use disorder (SUD).
Food Addiction: A Misleading (and Harmful) Term
As science, medicine, and culture continue to evolve, more attention has been paid to the concept of addiction and the biological and psychological mechanisms that lead to these types of unhelpful, compulsive behaviors.
Choosing the Best Eating Disorder Treatment Centers
If you or a loved one are struggling with an eating disorder, you’ll likely want to enroll in a treatment program as quickly as possible. And while it’s important to get help in a timely manner, some time should be taken to consider the type of treatment facility you choose.
Amenorrhea and Anorexia
Amenorrhea is the absence of menstrual periods in biological women.
Certain scenarios have been known to naturally bring about this condition, including pregnancy, breastfeeding, certain hormonal contraceptives, and menopause. But sometimes, amenorrhea is a sign of a deeper problem.
Is Bulimia an Addiction?
Bulimia nervosa (BN) is a mental health condition that manifests as disordered eating behavior. But it can also share many of the same characteristics of drug addiction.
Recent research has found similar connections in the brain that are activated when someone engages in a binging episode and when someone uses recreational drugs.
Eating Disorders in the LGBTQ Community
Eating disorders touch people of all ages, sizes, and orientations. But sadly, some groups, including the LGBTQ+ community, tend to be disproportionately affected by these conditions.
As a whole, LGBTQ+ people struggle with eating disorders more frequently than those in the hetero-normative community. And many people identifying as LGBTQ+ face multiple treatment barriers.
Sample Letters to Insurance Companies for Eating Disorder Treatment
Eating disorder treatment is covered by a large number of insurance policies. But most require families and their doctors to prove that care is needed; sometimes, care teams and insurance administrators disagree about how treatment should work.
Bulimia & Anemia
Bulimia nervosa (BN) and anemia are often linked, with an estimated overlap rate of more than 11%. [1]
The disordered eating and behavioral patterns associated with bulimia nervosa can cause the body to become deficient in a variety of necessary vitamins and minerals. When the condition leads to a low iron count, it can lead to anemia.
The Effects of Bulimia on the Throat
Due to the physical impact of purging, bulimia nervosa (BN) has the potential to cause significant damage to the throat.
These complications can make it hard to talk and painful to swallow. And the repeated behavior can even increase the risk of esophageal cancer, a dangerous and potentially deadly condition.
What Bulimia Does to the Mouth
Bulimia can cause significant damage to a person’s oral health, especially their teeth, mostly as a result of purging.
And while it’s possible to stop or reverse some of these effects, the longer someone struggles with disordered eating behavior, the more at risk they become for imparting permanent damage.
Can Bulimia Kill You?
Of all mental health disorders, eating disorders are often considered the most dangerous—and, sadly, the conditions often have a high mortality rate.
Bulimia And Laxative Misuse
Many people with bulimia nervosa (BN) or other eating disorders misuse laxatives in the hopes of losing or controlling weight. But this practice is not only ineffective, it can also be dangerous.

How Does Bulimia Affect Your Jaw?
Bulimia jaw is a term for a number of symptoms that can result from the purging aspect of bulimia nervosa (BN). It can refer to swelling, intense pain, and a misalignment of the jaw, and sometimes require surgery to correct.
Death From Anorexia: What Happens to the Body?
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a serious mental health condition that can profoundly change a person’s health over time.
Statistics on Anorexia in Men & Boys
The numbers around men with anorexia and eating disorders may be misleading. For example, a frequently quoted statistic is that 10% of anorexia cases are male, but even that statistic may be inaccurate, with some studies indicating the ratio may be higher.
Commonly Prescribed Medications for Anorexia
At present, there is no single medication for anorexia that can replace the benefits therapies can provide. However, some medications can address a few of the mental health symptoms many people with anorexia develop.
The Connection Between Anorexia & Genetics
Anorexia and genetics have a connection, although researchers aren’t exactly sure in what way. If you have people in your immediate family who suffer from anorexia or other eating disorders, be mindful of that fact and consider adopting healthy habits to reduce your risk of developing an eating disorder yourself.
5 Bulimia Facts That May Surprise You
Understanding bulimia facts can help you spot the condition in people who need help. And armed with information, you can help them to get the treatment they need.
Bulimia Treatment Centers: Costs & Insurance Coverage
All across the United States, bulimia treatment centers help people overcome damaging impulses, habits, and behaviors. Each one is slightly different, but all share some core attributes.
Bulimia vs. Binge Eating: Key Differences
Bulimia and binge eating disorder have a lot in common. Both involve episodes of bingeing, and both can be associated with weight gain. But there are significant differences between these two common eating disorders.
Am I Bulimic? Questions to Ask Yourself
Run a search for “bulimia test,” and you’ll get more than 8 million Google results. Should you take one? And what should you do with your score?
Bulimia & the Teeth: Effects & Signs of Damage
Bulimia doesn’t technically harm your teeth. But one habit common in people with bulimia can cause extensive dental damage you’ll need a professional to address