Bulimia in Children

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 4, 2025.

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Bulimia is an eating disorder that causes your child to binge and purge food. Bingeing means your child eats a large amount of food in a short amount of time. Purging means your child vomits or uses laxatives to get rid of the food. Your child may also exercise for many hours each day or not eat anything at all in between bingeing episodes to prevent weight gain. Bulimia is also called bulimia nervosa.

DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS:

Call your local emergency number (911 in the US) if:

• Your child says she or he wants to harm or kill herself or himself.
• Your child has pain when she or he swallows, or very bad pain in her or his chest or abdomen.
• Your child's heart is beating very fast or fluttering, or she or he feels dizzy or faint.

Seek care immediately if:

• Your child's muscles feel weak, and she or he has pain and stiffness.
• Your child cannot stop vomiting.
• Your child vomits blood or sees blood in her or his bowel movements.

Call your child's doctor if:

• Your child is constipated.
• Your child's hands or feet tingle.
• Your child has pain in her or his teeth, mouth, or gums.
• Your child has new abdominal pain.
• Your female child's monthly period is very light or has stopped completely.
• You have questions or concerns about your child's condition or care.

Drugs used to treat this and similar conditions

Treatment options

The following list of medications are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

• Prozac
• Effexor
• fluoxetine
• topiramate
• venlafaxine

Medicines:

Your child may need any of the following:

• Depression medicine called SSRIs are usually used to treat bulimia. Your child may need this medicine even if she or he is not depressed. An SSRI gives your child's brain more of a chemical called serotonin. Serotonin may help your child focus on other things and think less about weight and food.
• Seizure medicine may help control your child's mood swings and decrease aggression or irritability.
• Nausea medicine may be given to calm your child's stomach and prevent vomiting.
• Vitamin or mineral supplements may be needed if your child's nutrient levels are low because of bulimia.
• Give your child's medicine as directed. Contact your child's healthcare provider if you think the medicine is not working as expected. Tell the provider if your child is allergic to any medicine. Keep a current list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs your child takes. Include the amounts, and when, how, and why they are taken. Bring the list or the medicines in their containers to follow-up visits. Carry your child's medicine list with you in case of an emergency.

Care for your child:

• Take your child to counseling sessions. Counseling is an important part of treatment for bulimia. Your child may have group or individual counseling. Group counseling is a way for your child to talk with others who have bulimia. Counseling may help your child return to a healthy relationship with food and body image. Family sessions can help everyone in the family understand bulimia and how to help your child.
• Work with your child's dietitian. You and your child will work with the dietitian to develop a healthy meal plan. It is important for your child to eat 3 to 5 structured meals a day to reduce the urge to binge. Your child might need to learn how to prepare healthy food. Your child might also need to relearn what it feels like to be hungry and full. You or your child may be asked to keep a food diary and bring it to future visits.
• Care for your child's mouth. Have your child brush her or his teeth or rinse with fluoride mouthwash after vomiting. This will help prevent tooth damage. Choose toothpaste made for sensitive teeth if your child's tooth enamel has been damaged by vomiting. Have your child suck on tart candies to relieve swollen salivary glands.

What you can do to help your child:

• Be patient and supportive. Recovery from bulimia is a process that takes time. Your child may have a binging and purging episode after a long period of healthy eating. This is common. Help your child get back on track with healthy eating and healthy exercise. Do not punish your child for the episode. Be available if your child wants to talk about her or his feelings.
• Help your child develop healthy self-esteem. Your child's self-esteem may be tied to her or his weight or appearance. Ask your child what she or he likes about herself or himself. For example, your child may be a talented artist, or may write well. Encourage your child to focus on those skills or talents instead of on appearance. Do not comment on your child's weight or shape.
• Help your child manage stress. Help your child take a break and rest for 30 minutes every day. Try different ways to reduce stress, such as yoga, meditation, journaling, or spiritual development.
• Have regular family meals. Your child may be able to help you plan and cook meals. At mealtime, do not focus on your child's choices. For example, do not tell your child to take a larger portion or to go for another helping. Do not criticize your child's choices.
• Spend time doing things your child enjoys. Make family time about being together, not about meals. Try to go to places other than restaurants, movies, and other places that feature food.

Follow up with your child's doctor or therapist as directed:

Your child may need blood tests to make sure treatment is working. Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.

For support and more information:

• National Eating Disorders Association
  165 West 46th Street
  New York , NY 10036
  Phone: 1- 212 - 575-6200
  Phone: 1- 800 - 931-2237
  Web Address: http://www.NationalEatingDisorders.org
  

• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Office of Science Policy, Planning, and Communications
  6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 6200, MSC 9663
  Bethesda , MD 20892-9663
  Phone: 1- 301 - 443-4513
  Phone: 1- 866 - 615-6464
  Web Address: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/
  

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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