David Baxter PhD
Late Founder
Breaking up with Bulimia: How to Beat an Eating Disorder
by Jennifer Boyes
Mar 16, 2008
Recovering from bulimia can be a long, hard road. However, it is possible to get better. Find out how, with a little support and persistence, you too can be healthy again
Bulimia Nervosa, often referred to as bulimia or ?mia?, is a serious and worryingly common eating disorder, affecting over two million adolescent girls and young women in the United States alone. Surprisingly, females are not the only ones to be susceptible to bulimia. In America, about 10% of the individuals diagnosed with bulimia are male.
Sufferers find themselves trapped in a destructive cycle of extreme dieting, binging and vomiting, sometimes labelled ?purging?. Some bulimics also use laxatives, diuretics and intense exercising to achieve the same effect.
How it all Begins
A number of distressing or disturbing life events can trigger bulimia. These triggers can range from going through a painful divorce to being made redundant. Pressure to be thin, from friends and the media can also have a negative impact on the body image of individuals of all ages and can lead to an abnormal obsession with the body and food. In addition to this, research has shown that bulimia can be hereditary, passed down through the family.
Bulimia usually starts with the decision to go on a strict, calorie controlled diet. The dieter will abstain from food, thinking that this will help her lose weight. However, the body is not designed to accept starvation and food cravings soon kick in. The dieter will not be able to think of anything but food and eating. At some point, the dieter?s resolve crumbles and he or she gives into the cravings. They are often unable to control themselves, due to their intense hunger, and they will devour an enormous amount of, often unhealthy, food. After the binge, the individual feels overwhelmed with guilt and terrified of the calories that they have consumed. In some cases, this guilt will be awful enough to drive them to the bathroom to be sick. Sadly, bulimia is an incredibly addictive condition and even purging once can be enough for you to become trapped in the cycle...
The typical bulimic will vow never to purge again each and every time they do it. Unfortunately, the fear of getting heavier will always lead to more extreme dieting which, inevitably, leads to more bingeing episodes and more purging. They live in a world of contradictions, berating themselves for vomiting but also relieved at getting the much hated food out of their body
The bulimia habit often snowballs at an astonishing rate. It can also prove a very difficult companion to get rid of. Many individuals suffer from bulimia for years before facing up to it. Many other people never overcome it.
Is Someone Close to You Suffering?
Unlike anorexia nervosa, which can be spotted as a result of the massive weight loss and obvious abstaining from food, bulimia can be very difficult to pinpoint. Bulimics often become very skilled at covering up their disease. They will run the bath or the tap while they are vomiting to cover up any noise and will remain apparently enthusiastic about food. On top of this is the fact that many bulimics often don?t change much physically. Some sufferers may even put on weight, due to the fact that vomiting and other types of purging are very inefficient ways of removing calories. However, there are a number of signs that you can watch out for should you be concerned about a friend or member of the family:
It takes a lot of guts to make the decision to stop being bulimic and recovery can be incredibly difficult and stressful. However, with enough willpower and support, the cycle can be broken. If you suspect that you, or someone close to you, are suffering from bulimia, there are a number of things that you can do to make the process easier and smoother.
by Jennifer Boyes
Mar 16, 2008
Recovering from bulimia can be a long, hard road. However, it is possible to get better. Find out how, with a little support and persistence, you too can be healthy again
Bulimia Nervosa, often referred to as bulimia or ?mia?, is a serious and worryingly common eating disorder, affecting over two million adolescent girls and young women in the United States alone. Surprisingly, females are not the only ones to be susceptible to bulimia. In America, about 10% of the individuals diagnosed with bulimia are male.
Sufferers find themselves trapped in a destructive cycle of extreme dieting, binging and vomiting, sometimes labelled ?purging?. Some bulimics also use laxatives, diuretics and intense exercising to achieve the same effect.
How it all Begins
A number of distressing or disturbing life events can trigger bulimia. These triggers can range from going through a painful divorce to being made redundant. Pressure to be thin, from friends and the media can also have a negative impact on the body image of individuals of all ages and can lead to an abnormal obsession with the body and food. In addition to this, research has shown that bulimia can be hereditary, passed down through the family.
Bulimia usually starts with the decision to go on a strict, calorie controlled diet. The dieter will abstain from food, thinking that this will help her lose weight. However, the body is not designed to accept starvation and food cravings soon kick in. The dieter will not be able to think of anything but food and eating. At some point, the dieter?s resolve crumbles and he or she gives into the cravings. They are often unable to control themselves, due to their intense hunger, and they will devour an enormous amount of, often unhealthy, food. After the binge, the individual feels overwhelmed with guilt and terrified of the calories that they have consumed. In some cases, this guilt will be awful enough to drive them to the bathroom to be sick. Sadly, bulimia is an incredibly addictive condition and even purging once can be enough for you to become trapped in the cycle...
The typical bulimic will vow never to purge again each and every time they do it. Unfortunately, the fear of getting heavier will always lead to more extreme dieting which, inevitably, leads to more bingeing episodes and more purging. They live in a world of contradictions, berating themselves for vomiting but also relieved at getting the much hated food out of their body
The bulimia habit often snowballs at an astonishing rate. It can also prove a very difficult companion to get rid of. Many individuals suffer from bulimia for years before facing up to it. Many other people never overcome it.
Is Someone Close to You Suffering?
Unlike anorexia nervosa, which can be spotted as a result of the massive weight loss and obvious abstaining from food, bulimia can be very difficult to pinpoint. Bulimics often become very skilled at covering up their disease. They will run the bath or the tap while they are vomiting to cover up any noise and will remain apparently enthusiastic about food. On top of this is the fact that many bulimics often don?t change much physically. Some sufferers may even put on weight, due to the fact that vomiting and other types of purging are very inefficient ways of removing calories. However, there are a number of signs that you can watch out for should you be concerned about a friend or member of the family:
- Swinging between eating large amounts of food and skimping and meals
- Abrupt changes in mood and depression
- Red and grazed knuckles
- The smell of toothpaste at odd times of the day, from the sufferer cleaning her teeth after purging
- Bloodshot eyes
- Swollen cheeks and glands
- Unusual dental problems
It takes a lot of guts to make the decision to stop being bulimic and recovery can be incredibly difficult and stressful. However, with enough willpower and support, the cycle can be broken. If you suspect that you, or someone close to you, are suffering from bulimia, there are a number of things that you can do to make the process easier and smoother.
