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.


  • 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.

  • Woman feeling unhappy

    Bulimia’s Effects on the Face & Cheeks 

    Bulimia can cause puffiness in the face as a result of purging, which can cause swelling in the parotid glands. While not dangerous, this swelling can sometimes cause pain and significantly affect a person’s facial aesthetic.

  • Russell's sign

    Effects of Bulimia on the Hands & Knuckles

    Bulimia nervosa (BN) is an eating disorder that can cause significant wear on the hands and the knuckles specifically, resulting in something called Russell’s sign (also referred to as “bulimia hands”). This occurs primarily because of the incisors repeatedly grinding against the skin when a person induces vomiting.

  • Woman searching on her computer

    How to Choose a Bulimia Treatment Program/Center 

    Choosing a bulimia nervosa treatment program, or a program to help with other eating disorders like anorexia nervosa (AN) or binge eating disorder (BED), can feel like an overwhelming process.

  • Alternative holistic therapy

    Alternative and Holistic Care for Bulimia

    While many evidence-based treatments are often used to help people struggling with bulimia nervosa (BN), some types of alternative and holistic therapy may also be able to help.

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.


  • 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.

  • How to help someone with an eating disorder

    How to Help Someone Who Has an Eating Disorder 

    Watching a friend, family member, or loved one struggle with an eating disorder can be incredibly difficult. Though you want to help, you may be unsure how to help someone with an eating disorder.

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. 


  • 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.

  • Woman searching on her computer

    How to Choose a Bulimia Treatment Program/Center 

    Choosing a bulimia nervosa treatment program, or a program to help with other eating disorders like anorexia nervosa (AN) or binge eating disorder (BED), can feel like an overwhelming process.

  • Alternative holistic therapy

    Alternative and Holistic Care for Bulimia

    While many evidence-based treatments are often used to help people struggling with bulimia nervosa (BN), some types of alternative and holistic therapy may also be able to help.

  • Interpersonal psychotherapy

    Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Bulimia Nervosa

    Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) is a form of talk therapy that has been shown to be potentially beneficial in helping people with eating disorders, including bulimia nervosa (BN).