Online Health Advice > What's the long term prognosis for bulimia nervosa? >

My 29 y.o. girlfriend suffered from bulimia nervosa starting in her teens and dropped out of high school for home treatment. She still sees a psychiatrist but I think only a few times per year. I think she still self-induces vomitting occasionally, but usually with the excuse that she ate something that "doesn't sit right". My assessment is that it isn't very severe right now, and it's most likely not getting worse (and she maintains her career and social life well). What are the chances that she'll fully recover within 5 years, 10 years, or 20 years?

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Female, Age: 29, California

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Bulimia, when diagnosed early & proper tratement taken can get controlled. However, it may relapse in future.

The prognosis for cure for bulimia is poor compared to othet eating disorders. 20 to 50 % of patients tend to have symptoms for atleast 5 years despite treatment. The disease may even last as long as 30 years. This disease has a pattern of remissions & recurrences. If the remission lasts for a year or longer, then the prognosis is good. If there are associated psychiatric conditions then the prognosis is worse. Disease onset in adolescence has a better prognosis than late oneset.
Research suggests that 30% cases develop rapid relapse after remission & around 40 % become chronic with this condition.
However, please note that adequate treatment with medications & other therapies helps to keep the disease under control.
Here is a good information source for bulimia.

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Please note that the information provided is not a substitute to medical advice.

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