Bulimia is a serious disease that is characterized by episodes of binge eating followed by purging. Purging can be done by vomiting, abuse of laxatives, or the use of diuretics. But it can also be done by other means, such as abuse, fasting, or exercising excessively.
People with bulimia tend to be secretive, ashamed, and afraid of being caught. They also tend to be perfectionists, overly critical, and have low self-esteem. Bulimia affects about 1% of women and 0.3% of men. It usually begins during the teenage years or early adulthood but can start at any age. It is more common in females than males. People can begin to experience symptoms of bulimia at any age, but it usually begins within a few years after the onset of an eating disorder.
The cause of bulimia is unknown, but it is thought to be related to the chemical reactions in the brain that cause one to feel an uncontrollable urge to eat.
Knowing the Symptoms
Bulimia is an eating disorder with the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric illness; those who suffer from it binge on food and then purge to “undo” the calories they just ate. Bulimia, which is often referred to as a ‘binge eating disorder, is a serious eating disorder that typically affects teenage girls and young women. Symptoms can include:
• Continuous dieting
• Sudden weight fluctuations
• Obsession overweight and food
• Feeling out of control when eating
• Guilt after a binge
• Intense fear of gaining weight or being overweight
• Skipping meals or going for prolonged periods without eating
This eating disorder can take a serious toll on your body. It can cause severe dehydration, leading to painful swelling in your joints, heart failure, electrolyte imbalances, and a host of other serious health problems.
Can You Recover from This Eating Disorder?
Bulimia is a serious mental health condition. If you have bulimia, you’re not alone. Yet, despite its prevalence, bulimia continues to be a widely misunderstood and stigmatized illness. You are not alone. Many people have bulimia, and others know someone who is suffering. The good news is that you can take several steps to recover from bulimia successfully. These are:
1. Admit that you need help. It’s not easy to admit that you need help, and you may feel like it’s even harder to find a way to get help. Most people who have bulimia have already realized that being obsessed with your weight and appearance is a problem.
2. Tell someone else you need help. If you suspect you have bulimia, tell someone you’re concerned about it and it’s important to get help right away and recover safely. While you may feel like you can manage your bulimia personally, it’s important to know that bulimia can progress into a serious physical and emotional illness if left untreated.
3. Seek the right kind of help. There are many types of treatment for bulimia, including psychotherapy, support groups, and antidepressants. The most intensive form of treatment is inpatient care, where you stay in a hospital for a period of time to focus solely on your recovery.
4. You could talk to an Eating Disorder psychologist in London or elsewhere. You may also look for a therapist or other mental health experts who specialize in eating disorders. He or she will listen to your concerns and help you develop a plan for recovery that will be tailored to your specific needs. A therapist can also help you identify the triggers that cause you to engage in unhealthy eating habits.
5. Trust the process. The road to recovery from bulimia is never easy. Tackling the physical, mental, and emotional effects of bulimia can take years, and the only way you can do it is to get the right support and guidance. And this is where you need to trust the process. While you’re on your journey, you will find it difficult to trust that it will all be worth it in the long run. But trust that you are following your recovery plan, and trust that it will work. That you are taking the right steps and that you are headed in the right direction.
Recovering from bulimia is a challenge that people have to deal with every day. There is no one-size-fits-all method that will work for everyone, and you may have to try a few different things before you find something that truly works for you. Eating smaller meals and snacks and adding more fruits and vegetables to your diet, while keeping high-fat, high-calorie foods to a minimum, is one way to start your road to recovery.