Yes.

Bulimia nervosa is often characterized by an unhealthy obsession with food and an even unhealthier obsession to be rid of it. Aside from the conventional symptoms of binge eating and purging, some of the dire effects of this medical condition include having affective disorders like depression, anxiety / panic attacks or a combination of both. Although these affective disorders may be caused by the thought of simply being having an eating disorder, one triggering factor may be due to the telltale physical signs bulimia. Examples of evident physical effects of this medical condition include: erosion of tooth enamel, severe caries and swollen salivary glands due to frequent contact between gastric acid and teeth. Sometimes, people with bulimia also have calluses or scars at the back of the hands; oral trauma (e.g. lacerations in the lining of the mouth or throat caused by repetitive self-induced vomiting); and swollen glands in the neck or under the jaw line.

As such, bulimia nervosa is often considered as a mental condition: an imbalance of perception where the person feels the need to look thin despite being at his or her proper weight or even being underweight. Although there are pharmacological treatments available, many health care providers believe that the best way of curing this condition is by literally getting into the heart of things. This means addressing the issue as to why people who suffer from bulimia feel that their weight is one issue that they need to "control". Psychotherapy helps patients cope with the underlying factors that may be causing their weight control issues.

However, in order for that individual to regain his or her place back in society, CBT is often recommended as well. CBT or cognitive behavioral therapy is both a re-education process and healing process that allow the person to evolve gradually to a healthier lifestyle. Most cases of bulimia take hold in people early on in life. In some cases, bulimia starts at the age of 13. Undiagnosed and untreated cases can go on uninterrupted for years. Naturally, once this "routine" takes hold of the person's life, it can be very difficult to undo.

CBT is often done under the supervision of a trained psychiatrist, and often begins with psychotherapy and re-education. Here, the person is taught that certain beliefs (especially those concerning distorted ideas on weight gain / loss) are corrected. The person is often taught alternative measures to weight control that are not detrimental to health. At the same time, the person is slowly introduced to scenarios that allow him or her to either co-mingle with people who have the same medical condition and other social setups.

Part of the success of CBT lies in the fact that cases are streamlined to meet the demands and needs of one person. Although there are group therapies involved, treatment usually progresses at a speed that the patient is most comfortable with. However, to ensure the ultimate success of such treatment option, the person must also provide his or her full cooperation.



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