Episode 116: Understanding the Urge to Purge: What It Really Means and How to Begin Healing

In this episode of Fly to Freedom, I'm exploring a topic that’s rarely talked about openly, but is a reality for many in eating disorder recovery: purging.

Whether it takes the form of self-induced vomiting, laxative abuse, or compulsive exercise, purging isn’t really about food. It’s about fear. About shame. About trying to escape from overwhelming emotions and regain a sense of control—often at the cost of your physical and emotional wellbeing.

Together, we’ll unpack:

The emotional and psychological reasons why people purge, even after a normal meal or snack

How trauma, perfectionism, and beliefs about control and worth drive purging behaviours

The dangerous myths behind purging—especially the false idea that it “undoes” eating or prevents weight gain

The physical consequences of purging through vomiting, laxatives, or overexercise

What recovery from purging really feels like—and why it’s possible even when it feels terrifying

And most importantly, I’ll guide you through:

How to break the purge cycle with practical steps like interrupting the urge, softening your inner critic, and creating safer rituals for emotional release

How to stabilise your nourishment and rewire your nervous system to feel safe with food, fullness, and rest

What freedom from purging actually looks like—and why it’s worth fighting for

If you’re struggling with bulimia, purging anorexia, or compensatory behaviours like overexercise, this episode will help you feel seen, understood, and supported.

Because healing doesn’t happen through punishment.
It begins with compassion.
And you are worthy of healing—no matter how long you’ve been stuck in the cycle.

With love always,
Julia x

💬 Looking for a safe place to recover from purging behaviours?

Join The Eating Disorder Recovery Circle—my private membership community for eating disorder recovery.

Inside, you’ll find:

Recovery courses on trauma, body image, fear of weight gain, and more

Workshops and Q&A sessions designed to help you stop purging and build self-trust

Chat rooms for real-time support and our Feelings Navigator to help you work through difficult urges safely

You don’t have to do this alone. And you were never meant to.

🎧 Keywords included in this episode: purging in eating disorders, why people purge, eating disorder recovery, bulimia recovery, purging after eating, anorexia purging subtype, stop purging, self-induced vomiting, laxative abuse recovery, compulsive exercise recovery, how to stop purging, emotional regulation in eating disorders, trauma and purging, body image and control, refeeding and shame, fear of weight gain recovery

Fly To Freedom: The anorexia recovery podcast

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