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Help for people who binge and purge

	For you to admit that you have a problem and need help can be the hardest step. There are many good treatments for bulimia that can help you feel better and eat normally again. ConsumerReportsHealth.org can help you find the best treatment options.
	Subscribe to ConsumerReportsHealth.org and find out whether medications or talk therapy rates best for treating bulimia.

If you or someone you know is diagnosed with bulimia, you're not alone. Consumer Reports Health can help with the best research about bulimia, and expert evidence and advice about how to treat it.

Key points for people with bulimia

• More than 3 people in 100 have an eating problem like bulimia at some point in their lives.
• It's very hard for people with bulimia to ask for help, so they often keep their illness secret for years.
• If you get treatment, you have a good chance of getting better. And the earlier you seek help, the better that chance will be.
• Even if you've had bulimia for a long time, getting treatment can help you eat in a healthy way again.

If you have bulimia, you're terrified of putting on any weight. But you sometimes go out of control and eat huge amounts of food. Afterward you might make yourself throw up, exercise for hours or take medications such as laxatives or water pills. About 1 in every 100 young women in the United States has bulimia. Men get bulimia too. While scientists are unsure exactly what causes bulimia, they believe it's probably a combination of the genes you're born with, what happens to you in life, and your surroundings that lead to the problem.

You may find it hard to admit the problem but psychotherapy and antidepressant drugs can help. You may be offered one of these or both of them together. We encourage you to read our entire condition report and to consult with your doctor to learn more about bulimia. As a Consumer Reports Health subscriber, you’ll have access to our expert research and recommendations, and you’ll be more confident and knowledgeable about which treatments are best for you.