Bulimia Symptoms & Common Side-Effects

Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder that can be life-threatening in the absence of professional careJohns Hopkins Medicine says that individuals who are suffering from bulimia engage in harmful cycles of binging and purging that can cause lasting physical and emotional damage. 

Women and girls who have bulimia nervosa struggle with the way they perceive their bodies and experience overwhelming distress over their fears of gaining weight. They go to great lengths to prevent weight gainleading to the development of bulimia. 

Common Signs of Bulimia Nervosa 

Everyone experiences bulimia nervosa differently, but there are some behaviors that might be a sign that a woman or adolescent girl is struggling with bulimia. If you know a woman or young girl who is exhibiting some of these behaviors, it might be cause for concern. 

These are some common warning signs of bulimia nervosa: 

  • Frequently weighs themselves 
  • Often judges their appearance in the mirror 
  • Won’t eat at restaurants 
  • Always on a new diet 
  • Doesn’t eat at regular mealtimes 
  • Keeps large amounts of food around the house 
  • Large amounts of food suddenly disappear 
  • Makes frequent trips to the bathroom after meals 
  • Often takes laxatives or diuretics 
  • Wears baggy clothes 
  • Exercises excessively  
  • Stops spending time with friends and family 
  • Has become increasingly moody 

Common Symptoms of Bulimia Nervosa 

The symptoms of bulimia nervosa indicate that a woman or adolescent girl has progressed beyond the warning signs of this condition and likely needs professional care 

Bulimia affects everyone differently, so some women and girls may exhibit all these symptoms, while others may only show a few of them. This is dependent on a variety of factors, such as how long they have suffered from bulimia, their medical history, and how often they engage in bulimic behaviors. 

Symptoms of bulimia nervosa include: 

  • Constant weight gain or loss 
  • Stomach pain not related to illness 
  • Dizziness 
  • Fainting 
  • Trouble sleeping 
  • Brittle hair and nails 
  • Discolored teeth 
  • Irregular menstrual periods 

The severity of a woman’s symptoms can be identified by how often she engages in behaviors associated with bulimia, as outlined by the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5): 

  • Mild: An average of one to three episodes per week 
  • Moderate: An average of four to seven episodes per week 
  • Severe: An average of eight to 13 episodes per week 
  • Extreme: An average of 14 or more episodes per week 

No matter the severity level, anyone who is struggling with bulimia symptoms should seek professional support. At Timberline Knolls, women and girls benefit from comprehensive, evidence-based care that leads to lasting recovery. 

Common Causes & Risk Factors of Bulimia Nervosa 

It is not possible to pinpoint a single cause for why a woman or girl may have developed bulimia nervosa because there are many influences in each individual’s life that may have been contributing factors. 

A woman’s or girl’s family history, home life, and genetic background can all play a role in whether she is at risk for developing bulimia. 

These are just some examples of common causes and risk factors that can lead to the onset of bulimia: 

  • Having a family member who has bulimia 
  • Being overweight as a child 
  • Suffering from sexual or physical abuse 
  • Struggling with another mental health concern 
  • Having low self-esteem 

Bulimia Nervosa Statistics 

  • The National Institute of Mental Health says women experience bulimia at a rate five times higher than men. 
  • Bulimia is more than twice as common among adolescent females as among adolescent males. 
  • Bulimia nervosa has one of the highest rates of comorbidity with other mental health disorders compared to other eating disorders. 
  • Less than half of adults age 18 and older who are struggling with bulimia seek professional support. 

Effects of Bulimia Nervosa 

The longer that a woman or girl goes without receiving professional care or the proper programming, the more devastating the effects of bulimia can be 

The way bulimia affects each individual can vary depending on their genetics, medical history, and how long they’ve struggled with this illness. 

Some of the most common effects of bulimia include: 

  • Dental issues 
  • Heart problems 
  • Ruptured stomach 
  • Inflamed esophagus 
  • Kidney failure 
  • Lowered sex drive 
  • Addiction to drugs or alcohol 
  • Loss of important relationships 
  • Inability to function in daily life 
  • Suicidal ideation 

Bulimia Relapse 

Recovery from bulimia nervosa is not something that happens right away, and relapsing might be one setback you face during the journey. But this does not mean that successful, long-term recovery from bulimia is impossible. 

Working with a team of professionals to understand how to prevent a bulimia relapse can prepare you for future challenges. This includes identifying things that may cause the symptoms of bulimia to return and learning how to use the resources you have available to manage those triggers. 

But remember that experiencing a bulimia relapse does not mean you have failed. Reach out for help if you notice that you have started engaging in bulimic behaviors or are experiencing the symptoms of bulimia. 

Common Underlying or Co-Occurring Disorders 

Many women and girls who are suffering from bulimia nervosa also struggle with other mental health conditions or substance use concerns. When this happens, the symptoms and effects of bulimia can be even more distressing and overwhelming. 

 When you choose Timberline Knolls, our expert team makes sure to address any co-occurring disorders or underlying conditions that you may be suffering from. 

 For further reading on the types of conditions that can co-occur with bulimia, check out the resources compiled by Eating Disorder Hope, an organization dedicated to helping those who are struggling with bulimia nervosa. 

 This content was reviewed and approved by the clinical staff at Timberline Knolls. 


Hi, My name is Angel. I was admitted to residential treatment at Timberline Knolls in 2016 to treat my depression. At that time I was unemployed, home alone, and labeled med resistant. Though I did not socialize much, I benefited because I was no longer alone.

I elected to go to the partial hospitalization program at TK thereafter. This was because I wanted to continue with the DBT principles, continue with yoga, and continue speaking with the chaplain. Choosing to stay with TK resulted in me regaining my voice. In PHP I started engaging socially with the TK community. I also started to unpack my relationship with my father, with my father and our family therapist; a process that I prepared for in residential. Residential treatment at Timberline Knolls and continuing with partial hospitalization ensured that I could keep building on my recovery, namely in my relationships with spirituality, with new people, and with myself.

- Angel T

 

 

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