Non-purging bulimia is a type of bulimia nervosa, an eating disorder that involves binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors like excessive exercise.

Bulimia nervosa is a type of eating disorder that involves cyclic episodes that consist of binge eating, or consuming large amounts of food in a relatively short amount of time, followed by a compensatory behavior.

People generally associate bulimia with bingeing and the compensatory behavior of purging, but other compensatory behaviors might follow bingeing. This can include excessive exercising.

Bulimia nervosa is a mental health disorder. It may be linked to specific changes in the brain within appetite-regulating and taste-reward pathways. Treatment can help manage nutrition, compensatory behaviors, and mental health and emotional symptoms.

This article will cover behaviors that may be considered compensatory, other symptoms of non-purging bulimia, and how to get help if you or someone you know may have bulimia nervosa, and what treatment involves.

Help is available

If you’re preoccupied with food or your weight, feel guilt about food choices, or engage in restrictive diets, consider reaching out for support. These behaviors may indicate a disordered relationship with food or an eating disorder.

Disordered eating and eating disorders can affect anyone, regardless of gender identity, race, age, socioeconomic status, or other identities.

They can be caused by any combination of biological, social, cultural, and environmental factors, not just by exposure to diet culture.

Consider speaking with a healthcare professional or contacting the National Alliance for Eating Disorders, which offers a daytime helpline staffed by licensed therapists and an online search tool for treatment options. For general mental health support at any time, you can call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 24 hours a day at 1-800-662-4357 (or 1-800-487-4889 for TTY).

Bulimia nervosa is characterized by periods of binge eating, where a person eats large amounts of food in a short period (often about 2 hours), followed by compensatory behaviors.

Compensatory behaviors associated with non-purging bulimia nervosa can include:

  • fasting
  • excessive or compulsive exercise
  • extreme dieting or only eating certain foods
  • chewing and spitting out food
  • using stimulant medications or other medications to reduce hunger

The amount of these behaviors and the frequency of episodes may vary by severity.

People with non-purging bulimia nervosa usually have other symptoms similar to purging types of bulimia nervosa. These can include:

  • fear of gaining weight
  • making comments about being “fat”
  • regularly comparing one’s appearance to others
  • a preoccupation with weight and body image
  • negative self-image and self-esteem
  • use of supplements, herbs, or other nonprescribed medications for weight loss
  • not eating in front of others
  • constipation
  • withdrawal from typical social activities

Non-purging bulimia, like other types of eating disorders, can have negative effects on the body.

Not getting enough calories or essential nutrients can prevent the body from working the way it’s supposed to. It can also damage organs like the heart and kidneys.

Complications of non-purging bulimia can include:

Treatment for non-purging bulimia is similar to treatment for purging types. It usually involves a combination of mental health services and nutritional or dietary counseling. This can include:

  • Medication: The antidepressant fluoxetine (Prozac) is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat bulimia.
  • Psychotherapy: Talk therapy for eating disorders, whether individual or group sessions, can help you recognize and manage thoughts and behaviors that may have contributed to bulimia.
  • Dietary counseling: Treatment may include consulting a registered dietitian to adjust eating habits and plan nutritious meals.
  • Treatment for any complications: You may also need treatment for any complications caused by bulimia, including vitamins for nutritional deficiencies and treatment for heart or kidney issues.

If you or someone you know may have non-purging bulimia, it’s best to talk with a professional and seek help.

Bulimia nervosa is a mental health disorder and can result in serious complications, including organ damage.

Treatment can help adjust the thought patterns that may lead to disordered eating behaviors and manage the other symptoms.

Consider speaking with a healthcare professional or contacting the National Alliance for Eating Disorders, which offers a daytime helpline staffed by licensed therapists and an online search tool for treatment options.

For general mental health support at any time, you can call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 24 hours a day at 1-800-662-4357 (or 1-800-487-4889 for TTY).

It is possible to have bulimia without purging. Non-purging bulimia refers to bulimia nervosa that is characterized by episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors, like extreme exercising or limiting food.

Bulimia nervosa can be purging or non-purging.

Both types involve episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors. Purging behaviors may include vomiting or laxative or diuretic use, while non-purging behaviors may include exercise, fasting, and methods of extreme dieting.

Purging bulimia refers to episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory purging behaviors, like laxative misuse or forced vomiting.

Non-purging bulimia refers to episodes of binge eating followed by other types of compensatory behaviors that do not involve purging the consumed food. This type can include behaviors like extreme dieting or extreme exercise.

Non-purging bulimia is a type of bulimia nervosa. It involves periods of binge eating, where a person consumes a large amount of food in a short amount of time, followed by compensatory behaviors.

Compensatory behaviors can include extreme exercise, fasting, or extreme dieting.

Treatment can include talk therapy, medication, and nutritional counseling.