Purging Disorder Therapy

How do we Treat Purging Disorder at EDRS?

Due to the similarities with bulimia, many people suffering from purging disorder may be misdiagnosed. During your intake call, our trained admissions team will assess symptoms and provide next steps. Treating purging disorder is personalized and like all eating disorders, requires physical monitoring as well. Medical stability and electrolyte monitoring with a Primary Care Practitioner (PCP) is required. 

Purging disorder treatment can feel complex and overwhelming. However, interventions and therapies can lead to a full recovery. Treatment has a higher chance of success the earlier you start. This is why early intervention is critical. By learning more about your needs, our admissions team will work with you to create a care plan. This ranges from outpatient services to our intensive outpatient program (IOP).

A nutrition plan is recommended as a foundational step. This is vital for purging disorder therapy. Balanced and routine meals help lessen triggers to purge. While purging disorder is similar to bulimia in behaviors, the purges are less impulsive and more routine. In both cases, therapeutic treatment works to find causality behind the behaviors. Treatment in therapy focuses on Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). This helps to explore emotion regulation and uses motivational interviewing techniques. You can learn more about the driving factors of the purging behavior.

Do you believe you have an eating disorder? To explore purging disorder therapy and other treatments, call our admissions team today. 

Purging Disorder Screening Questions

• Do you ever make yourself vomit, take laxatives, diuretics, or use other methods to influence your weight or shape?
• How often do you engage in these behaviors (daily, weekly, or monthly)?
• Do you engage in purging even if you haven’t eaten a large amount of food?
• Have these behaviors been happening for at least three months?

If you have answered yes to any of these questions, contact our admissions team today for a full assessment. Help is available and you’re not alone.

Purging Disorder Medical Complications:

• Electrolyte imbalances (especially low potassium, sodium, or chloride)
• Dehydration
• Irregular heartbeat or cardiac arrhythmias
• Heart failure (in severe cases)
• Low blood pressure
• Fainting or dizziness
• Esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus)
• Tears in the esophagus (Mallory-Weiss tears)
• Rupture of the esophagus (Boerhaave’s syndrome is rare, but life-threatening)
• Chronic sore throat
• Hoarseness or voice changes
• Swollen salivary glands (parotid gland enlargement)
• Tooth enamel erosion and dental decay
• Gum irritation and mouth sores
• Acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Stomach ulcers
• Delayed gastric emptying or bloating
• Constipation (especially from laxative misuse)
• Intestinal damage or dependency on laxatives
• Kidney damage or failure (due to dehydration and electrolyte loss)
• Muscle weakness or cramps
• Bone density loss (osteopenia or osteoporosis)
• Fatigue and low energy
• Menstrual irregularities or amenorrhea
• Swelling in hands and feet (edema)
• Metabolic alkalosis or acidosis (depending on purging method)

Similar to bulimia, people with purging disorder can still appear “normal” in weight. Therefore, they’re able to hide the eating disorder. However, the medical issues with purging disorder can be severe. Routine purging can damage internal organs, teeth, and the heart. Lack of proper nutrition also causes issues with sodium and potassium levels and fatigue. There are life-threatening risks. That’s why you should consider purging disorder therapy. If you believe you have an eating disorder, contact admissions today. 

Prevalence (WebMD)

• In the general population, about 1% to 5% of people have purging disorder.
• Like most eating disorders, purging disorder is more common in women. It often develops around the age of 20.
• Purging disorder is often underdiagnosed due to its subtle presentation and overlap with other eating disorders.

Purging disorder can remain undiagnosed due to its similarity to bulimia. However, it has its own unique set of behaviors and triggers. Purging disorder therapy requires specialized care. Our team is knowledgeable in all eating disorders, especially purging disorders and overlap with other behaviors. If you need help with a purging disorder, informed, compassionate treatment is available. Speak with admissions today.

Psychological and Co-Occurring Factors

• Body dissatisfaction
• Overvaluation of weight/shape
• Low self-esteem
• Perfectionism
• Impulse control difficulties
• Anxiety symptoms
• Depressive symptoms
• Cognitive distortions around food and eating
• Trauma history (e.g., childhood abuse)
• Stress sensitivity
• Other eating disorders (bulimia, anorexia, and binge eating disorder)
• Substance use disorders
• Personality disorders (e.g., borderline traits)
• High-pressure or competitive environments

The causes of purging disorder and other eating disorders vary. However, they require a primary examination in any therapeutic approach. Learning what’s driving an eating disorder is in many cases the key to recovering from it. Taking a psychological approach to an eating disorder is essential to lasting remission. Speak with admissions today.

Purging Disorder Risk Factors:

• Women are more commonly affected
• Typical onset is during adolescence or young adulthood
• Body dissatisfaction with negative feelings about shape or weight
• Overvaluation of weight/shape with self-worth tied to appearance
• Perfectionism setting high self-standards and self-criticism
• Low self-esteem with feelings of inadequacy or self-blame
• History of dieting or restrictive eating
• Exposure to societal pressure or cultural ideals with emphasis on thinness
• Trauma or adverse childhood experiences
• Family history of eating disorders or psychiatric conditions
• Co-occurring psychiatric conditions such as anxiety, depression, or OCD
• Impulsivity or difficulty regulating emotions
• Peer influence or social pressure from friends, media, or social networks

There are many risk factors that can lead to this eating disorder. Many revolve around societal pressures of thinness as well as low self-esteem. If you believe that you or someone you know is at high risk, call admissions today. Purging disorder therapy can improve your habits and health.