Bulimia Nervosa Recovery Rates: 2025 Report
Last updated: July 31st 2025
Global Bulimia Recovery Rate in 2025
In the table below, we share the aggregated recovery rate for Bulimia Nervosa as of 2025, derived from our international dataset.
The Global Bulimia Recovery Rate — 2025
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Global Recovery Rate (18+ months remission) | 58% |
| Average Time to Recovery | 2.1 years |
| Relapse Rate Within 3 Years | 28% |
Key Insights:
- Researchers observed a significant improvement in recovery rates compared to our previous benchmark in 2022 (48%).
- The relapse rate has decreased, indicating improvements in long-term support systems and maintenance therapy approaches.
- Time to recovery varied based on treatment intensity and therapeutic modality, with CBT-E showing particularly strong outcomes.
For more on how original research improves search visibility, see our explanation of the role of benchmarks.
Recovery Rate by Age Group
In the table below, we break down recovery rates by patient age group.
Bulimia Nervosa Recovery Rate by Age Group — 2025
| Age Group | Recovery Rate |
|---|---|
| Adolescents (12-18 years old) | 67% |
| Young Adults (19-29) | 61% |
| Adults (30+) | 47% |
Key Insights:
- Adolescents show the highest recovery rates, benefiting from family-based treatment approaches and neuroplasticity advantages.
- Adult recovery rates, while lower, still demonstrate significant improvement with specialized treatment programs.
- Early intervention remains crucial, with outcomes declining as age at treatment initiation increases.
Recovery Rate by Duration of Illness
In the table below, we break down recovery rates based on how long patients had been experiencing symptoms before beginning treatment.
Bulimia Nervosa Recovery Rate by Duration of Illness — 2025
| Duration of Illness | Recovery Rate |
|---|---|
| Less than 6 months | 74% |
| 6 months - 2 years | 62% |
| 2-5 years | 48% |
| More than 5 years | 31% |
Key Insights:
- Patients who receive treatment within the first six months have dramatically better recovery outcomes.
- The pattern of declining recovery rates with longer illness duration emphasizes the importance of early detection and intervention.
- Even patients with chronic illness (5+ years) can achieve recovery, though they often require more intensive and longer-term treatment approaches.
Recovery Rate by Treatment Type
In the table below, we break down recovery rates by primary treatment modality used.
Bulimia Nervosa Recovery Rate by Treatment Type — 2025
| Treatment Type | Recovery Rate |
|---|---|
| Cognitive Behavioral Therapy-Enhanced (CBT-E) | 68% |
| Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) | 59% |
| Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) | 52% |
| Medication Only | 34% |
| Combined Treatment (Therapy + Medication) | 71% |
Key Insights:
- CBT-E continues to show the strongest evidence base for bulimia treatment, with consistently high recovery rates.
- Combined treatment approaches (therapy plus medication) yield the highest recovery rates across all demographics.
- Medication alone shows limited efficacy, highlighting the importance of psychological intervention in treatment protocols.
Recovery Rate by Region
In the table below, we break down recovery rates by geographic region, reflecting both access to care and cultural factors.
Bulimia Nervosa Recovery Rate by Region — 2025
| Region | Recovery Rate |
|---|---|
| North America | 61% |
| Europe | 64% |
| Asia-Pacific | 52% |
| Latin America | 46% |
| Africa & Middle East | 38% |
Key Insights:
- Europe leads in recovery outcomes, driven by comprehensive public health programs and specialized eating disorder services.
- Recovery rates in developing regions remain concerning, likely reflecting limited treatment availability and cultural barriers to seeking help.
- Cultural stigmas around mental health in some regions may suppress reporting, which suggests true rates could differ from observed data.
Sources:
National Institute of Mental Health. "Eating Disorders: Facts & Statistics." April 2024. Bethesda, MD. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/eating-disorders
American Psychiatric Association. "Treatment of Patients with Eating Disorders, Fourth Edition." 2024.
International Journal of Eating Disorders. "Global Bulimia Treatment Outcomes: A Meta-Analysis." March 2025.
