Bulimia (also called bulimia nervosa) is an eating disorder where someone eats a lot of food in a short period of time (called binging) and then tries to get rid of it to prevent gaining weight. People with bulimia (boo-LEE-mee-uh) are cared for by a team of medical specialists to help them reach a healthy weight, develop healthy habits, and change the way they think about food and their body. 

Follow the care team's recommendations for: 

• helping your child follow their meal plan (A meal plan will tell you what your child should eat in a day to stay healthy.)
• whether your child needs any medicines, nutritional supplements to increase calories, or vitamin supplements
• whether it's OK for your child to exercise and what kinds of exercise they can do
• whether your child should weigh themselves
• helping your child set limits for social media use
• going to follow-up care visits

Help your child have a healthy body image. 

• Be a role model. Don't criticize your own or other people's weight, body, or looks. Talk about bodies in positive ways.
• Avoid talking about weight.

Support your child's overall well-being by helping them:

• Get enough sleep.
• Set regular mealtimes. Skipping meals and limiting calories can trigger binge eating.
• Find ways to manage stress and improve mood. They might enjoy listening to music, drawing, dancing, writing in a journal, or talking to a friend. Yoga, meditation, or taking a couple of deep breaths also can help your child relax.

Your child:

• won't follow the meal plan
• continues to binge eat, use laxatives, throw up, or exercise a lot to prevent weight gain
• misses their period
• has tooth decay or gum problems
• has belly bloating or belly pain
• has swollen cheeks

Your child:

• is lightheaded or dizzy, or faints
• seems dehydrated; signs include dizziness, drowsiness, a dry or sticky mouth, sunken eyes, or making less pee or darker than usual pee
• has trouble breathing, chest pain, or an irregular heartbeat
• has blood in their poop or throw-up

If you are worried that your child may try to commit suicide (end their life) or they have talked about a specific plan for suicide, take your child to the ER.

You or your child also can call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.

What causes bulimia? The exact cause of bulimia isn't clear. It probably happens from a combination of a genetic (inherited) tendency, psychological issues, and social pressure to be thin.

What are the symptoms of bulimia? People with bulimia have an extreme fear of weight gain. They binge eat (eat lots of food, even after they are full). Sometimes, this is done in private so other people don't see how much they're eating. They also use unhealthy ways to prevent weight gain from the binge eating.

Someone with bulimia might: 

• Eat more food than most people eat in a set period of time.
• Eat after they're full or until they're uncomfortably full.
• Feel out of control when eating. 
• Feel guilty or disgusted after binge eating.
• Use unhealthy behaviors to prevent weight gain, such as throwing up, misusing laxatives and other medicines, fasting (not eating for a long period of time), or excessive exercise.

Some, but not all, people with bulimia may have weight changes (up or down).

How is bulimia treated? Bulimia is treated by a care team of specialists that includes doctors, behavioral health providers, and a dietitian. These experts work together to monitor the child's medical health, provide counseling, and make dietary recommendations.

Some kids can be treated at home with close follow-up with the care team. Others may go to a special program during the day to get help. Some kids need to stay in the hospital to make sure they get the treatment they need.