1. Talk to Your Doctor
Family doctors are trained to deal with a wide range of illnesses, including psychological illnesses. If you or one of your family members has symptoms of bulimia, schedule an appointment with your doctor. He should at least have a passing familiarity with the physical signs of bulimia, and he can also recommend a psychiatrist or psychologist who can give you the help you need to treat the disease. Your doctor will probably also be the one to give you your physical examination when you get formally diagnosed for bulimia.
2. Find a Psychologist
Finding a psychologist is the most important part of getting help for bulimia. Make sure that whoever you choose is a licensed therapist, and that the kinds of therapy she uses are the ones you are most comfortable with. Also consider whether or not your health insurance will cover you if you visit a particular doctor, and whether the psychologist you choose makes you feel at ease during the sessions.
3. Contact Your Health Insurance Provider
If you have health insurance, either contact your provider or go through your health-insurance information to make sure you have coverage for mental-health issues. Your health care provider can supply you with a list of approved psychologists in your area, as well as tell you the number of visits you are covered for and whether or not the medications you will be prescribed are covered by your plan.
4. Confide in a Friend
If you feel you can't turn to anyone else, talk with a friend. Sometimes just having another person to talk to can help you figure out what to do about the disorder. Your friend may also be able to recommend a psychologist. Additionally, a good friend can give you emotional support while you're being treated for the disease.
5. Contact a Bulimia Support Group
A support group can offer a lot of information if you're trying to figure out how to get help for bulimia. In addition to recommending a professional therapist, members of the support group can give common-sense advice on dealing with the disorder. They can also provide the kind of emotional support and camaraderie someone who hasn't struggled with bulimia may find difficult to understand.
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