1. Gather Information
The best way to battle bulimia is by learning as much about the disorder as possible. Learn who it affects and make sure you're not at risk for it. If you happen to be bulimic, gathering information about the disorder will also help you. You can start to understand your need to binge and purge, as well as the potential factors that lead to it. This will make you more aware of the behaviors and beliefs that lead to bulimia, and help you when trying to fight them. Studying bulimia will also let you realize that there are other people coping with the disorder, which may make you feel less isolated.
2. Don't Shut Yourself off From the World
Sometimes, having a mental disorder can cause you to isolate yourself from your friends and family due to shame or distrust. Don't give in to that urge. When dealing with a mental disorder, the support of people you care about can help alleviate the negative thoughts and beliefs that drive you to binge and purge. Your family and your friends can also provide emotional support, make sure you don't fall back into bulimic behavior again, or simply provide the kind of comfort only available through positive relationships.
3. Get Into Therapy
Either cognitive behavior therapy or interpersonal therapy will be the centerpiece of your treatment to battle bulimia. The therapy that you receive will depend in part on the underlying cause of your bulimia. Cognitive behavior therapy will take the negative beliefs you have about yourself and your body, and replace them with more positive thoughts. Interpersonal therapy, on the other hand, focuses on how you deal with the other people in your life. It will teach you how to properly vent your negative emotions and release the frustration and anger that can lead to binge eating.
4. Offer Some Support
Even if you're not a mental health professional, you can still help battle bulimia by offering support to people with the disorder. While therapy can help a person get better, encouragement of family and friends can be a source of strength outside the therapist's office. Your support can help a bulimic friend or relative avoid falling into the same pattern that leads to a relapse and therefore make their treatment easier.
