Knowledge Base of Eating Disorders

Our knowledge base is a resource dedicated to providing information to individuals and their families about the signs, effects, causes, and treatment options for bulimia nervosa, as well as other eating disorders and co-occurring conditions.


Bulimia Nervosa Awareness

Bulimia nervosa (BN) is a specific type of eating disorder revolving around cycles of binging and purging. Affecting people of all genders, BN has a prevalence of approximately 0.5-1.5%. The disorder can have grave effects on someone’s health, but thankfully, a majority of people who seek treatment for bulimia nervosa are able to recover.


  • Dehydration

    I Feel Dehydrated | Bulimia Symptoms of Concern

    Bulimia nervosa (BN) is a serious mental health condition that can cause a number of physical, mental, and emotional complications. While some medical complications of bulimia nervosa are well-known, others, like dehydration, are less understood but can still be problematic.

  • Partial hospitalization programs

    Partial Hospitalization Programs for Bulimia

    A partial hospitalization program (PHP) is a type of treatment for bulimia nervosa (BN) and other eating disorders. This level of care is essentially a middle-ground, falling between residential or inpatient treatment and a typical outpatient treatment program.

  • Bulimia's affect on teeth

    How Anorexia Affects the Teeth 

    Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a dangerous eating disorder that can have a number of effects on physical health, including oral health. “Anorexia teeth” is a term for the damage the condition can do to the teeth, mouth, and soft palate due to poor nutrition and other potential complications. Finding appropriate care for AN is paramount…

  • Medications

    Using Prozac to Treat Bulimia: Research & Effectiveness 

    Bulimia nervosa (BN) is a complex mental health condition that can impact mental, physical, and emotional well-being. Likewise, BN is often caused by a combination of psychological, biological, and environmental complications, which often require a comprehensive approach to treat appropriately.

  • Acceptance and commitment therapy

    Utilizing Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Eating Disorders

    Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is a type of psychotherapy commonly used to help people struggling with eating disorders of all kinds, including bulimia nervosa (BN), binge eating disorder (BED), and anorexia nervosa (AN).1

  • Anxiety and bulimia

    The Relationship Between Bulimia & Anxiety 

    Bulimia nervosa (BN) is a dangerous eating disorder marked by cycles of binge eating and “compensatory” purging behaviors. At its core, the disorder is a mental health condition, and it commonly co-occurs with other mental health conditions, including depression and anxiety.

Research & Data

Explore the many original research and data collection projects we have conducted

Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are one of the most dangerous types of mental health disorder, responsible for an estimated 10,200 deaths every year. There are a number of different types of eating disorders, which all impact people in different ways.


  • Eating disorder among people of color

    Eating Disorders Among People of Color 

    Over the years, certain stereotypes have developed around eating disorders, including the idea that they primarily affect white women and girls. Of course, this isn’t actually the case. Disordered eating behaviors and the negative self-image and poor self-esteem that often drive them impact people of all genders, races, and ages.

  • Person looking into the distance

    Can You Be Anorexic and Fat, or “Overweight?”

    It is possible for someone who presents as what is considered in our society to be “normal” or “healthy” weight, “overweight,” fat, or in a larger body to still struggle with anorexia nervosa (AN). So, can you be anorexic and overweight? The short answer is yes. This is currently called atypical anorexia nervosa.

  • Eating disorder resources

    Free & Low-Cost Resources for Eating Disorder Help 

    Eating disorder treatment is often covered by health insurance, but for some, the cost of treatment for an eating disorder is just too high. Some patients may still get copayments or deductible bills and must pay monthly premiums to keep their plans intact. Others don’t have health insurance at all.

  • Orthorexia vs. Anorexia | Is There a Comparison?

    Eating disorders are dangerous mental health conditions that impact many aspects of psychological, physical, and emotional health. And while every disorder can manifest in different ways for everyone, it’s important to know the differences between different eating disorders.

  • Person standing alone outside

    Causes of Anorexia & How to Prevent It

    Anorexia nervosa is a complex, serious mental health condition that has many contributing biopsychosocial—or biological, psychological, and social—causes. These can include hormones, genetics, co-occurring mental health challenges, and societal attitudes about food, weight, fitness, and health, among others.

  • Person in woods

    How to Stop Emotional Eating

    People eat food for any number of reasons, and not all of them have to do with physical hunger.

Treatment Information

The most effective treatment for bulimia nervosa is the one that restores your physical and mental health while keeping you safe. Almost half of all people with bulimia seek out treatment, and all of them should get individualized care. 


  • Importance of family

    The Importance of Family During Eating Disorder Recovery

    Eating disorders and family may not seem to go together. However, the involvement of family and loved ones in someone’s eating disorder treatment and recovery can make a huge difference.

  • Partial hospitalization programs

    Partial Hospitalization Programs for Bulimia

    A partial hospitalization program (PHP) is a type of treatment for bulimia nervosa (BN) and other eating disorders. This level of care is essentially a middle-ground, falling between residential or inpatient treatment and a typical outpatient treatment program.

  • Medications

    Using Prozac to Treat Bulimia: Research & Effectiveness 

    Bulimia nervosa (BN) is a complex mental health condition that can impact mental, physical, and emotional well-being. Likewise, BN is often caused by a combination of psychological, biological, and environmental complications, which often require a comprehensive approach to treat appropriately.

  • Acceptance and commitment therapy

    Utilizing Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Eating Disorders

    Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is a type of psychotherapy commonly used to help people struggling with eating disorders of all kinds, including bulimia nervosa (BN), binge eating disorder (BED), and anorexia nervosa (AN).1

  • Eating disorder resources

    Free & Low-Cost Resources for Eating Disorder Help 

    Eating disorder treatment is often covered by health insurance, but for some, the cost of treatment for an eating disorder is just too high. Some patients may still get copayments or deductible bills and must pay monthly premiums to keep their plans intact. Others don’t have health insurance at all.

  • Most effective treatments for eating disorders

    The Most Effective Treatments for Bulimia Nervosa

    Bulimia nervosa (BN) is a serious mental health condition that can have dangerous and long-lasting impacts on physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It often manifests as cycles of binge eating and purging, which can lead to or support a number of other harmful symptoms.