Candace Cameron Bure's Candid Admission: Bulimia Nervosa
Candace Cameron Bure, known for her role as D.J. Tanner on Full House, has used her platform to discuss her long-term battle with bulimia nervosa. The eating disorder, which started when she was 18, became a significant part of her life following the end of the original Full House series. She first detailed her experiences in her 2010 memoir Reshaping It All. However, in recent years, she has been more transparent about the emotional depth of her struggle, revealing on her podcast that the intrusive thoughts of the disorder never truly leave her, even after years of active recovery.
Her admission on her podcast in 2025 resonated with many, as she described how she still considers herself a bulimic. This is due to the persistent psychological patterns and thoughts associated with the condition, which she manages with ongoing tools and support. This honest portrayal highlighted that recovery is often a lifelong journey, not a singular event. It challenges the misconception that once someone stops a behavior, the illness is completely gone.
The Role of Hollywood and Body Image
Bure's health struggles are deeply tied to her early life in the entertainment industry. She revealed that even as a child, her parents put her on a preventative diet due to fears she would develop an eating disorder, especially after seeing what happened to fellow child star Tracey Gold. This well-intentioned action inadvertently shaped her body image, causing her to feel like she was 'not good enough' the way she was.
This early conditioning, combined with the immense pressure to maintain a certain image, contributed to her unhealthy relationship with food. It underscores a larger conversation about the profound and often damaging effects of unrealistic beauty standards placed upon young people in the public eye. Her experience shows that a focus on weight and appearance can have lasting psychological consequences.
Anxiety, Stress, and The View
Beyond her eating disorder, Candace Cameron Bure has also been open about a period of intense anxiety and stress, specifically related to her time as a co-host on the talk show The View. In 2021, she disclosed on the show's podcast, Behind the Table, that the role caused her so much emotional distress that she felt she had PTSD.
The pressures of live television
The stress stemmed from a combination of factors related to her co-hosting duties:
- Representing a conservative viewpoint: As the only conservative on the panel, she felt immense pressure to represent and defend an entire group of people, often having to argue topics she did not fully grasp or care for.
- Relentless political discussion: Bure joined the show expecting it to cover more evergreen topics, but the political climate, particularly with the 2016 presidential election, shifted the focus heavily toward political debate.
- Daily confrontation: The constant emotional combat and confrontation with co-hosts and audience members took a significant emotional toll, causing her physical symptoms like a sick feeling in her stomach and crying before shows.
Recovery and Advocacy
Despite these challenges, Bure's journey has been marked by resilience and a commitment to helping others. She has spoken at events, including Eating Recovery Day, to share her story and provide hope to those facing similar issues. She has also openly discussed finding solace and strength through her faith and the support of her husband, Valeri Bure. Her public honesty has opened the door for many others to share their own experiences and seek help.
Comparing Bulimia vs. The View's Impact
To better understand the different facets of her health struggles, we can compare the nature of her battle with bulimia to her experience on The View.
| Aspect | Bulimia Nervosa | Stress/Anxiety on The View |
|---|---|---|
| Nature of Struggle | Long-term, personal, and internal battle with food and body image. | Short-term, career-related, and externally triggered emotional distress. |
| Primary Triggers | Childhood body image issues, emotional comfort seeking, and pressures of fame. | Political debate, feeling isolated as the minority opinion, and intense public scrutiny. |
| Physical Manifestations | Binging and purging behaviors, constant intrusive thoughts about food. | Gastrointestinal distress (sick stomach), crying, and a general feeling of being overwhelmed. |
| Path to Healing | Seeking help from pastors, husband, and developing coping mechanisms. | Leaving the source of the stress (leaving the show) and subsequent emotional processing. |
| Lasting Impact | Lingering thoughts and a lifelong awareness, requiring ongoing management. | Emotional recovery from a specific traumatic period, though memories remain. |
Conclusion: A Voice for Vulnerability
Candace Cameron Bure's willingness to speak openly about her health battles, from bulimia to the severe anxiety she faced on a major talk show, has made her a powerful voice for mental health awareness. Her story highlights that appearances can be deceiving and that personal struggles can affect anyone, regardless of their public image. By sharing her journey, she provides hope and encourages others to seek the help they need, demonstrating that true strength lies in vulnerability and perseverance. For more information and resources on eating disorders, visit the National Eating Disorders Association website at https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/.
