What bulimia threatens and how to get rid of it

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Fear of being overweight can be a bad symptom.

Bulimia nervosa is one of the most common eating disorders. Together with anorexia, it kills more people every year on Eating Disorder Statistics than any other type of mental illness.

Every 62 minutes, at least one person dies from the effects of an eating disorder.

In order not to miss the development of this mental illness, it is important to know it in person.

What is Bulimia

The term bulimia comes from two Greek words that translate to "bull" and "hunger." "Bovine hunger" is something indomitable, a desperate craving for food, a desire to quickly fill the stomach with all the food that is just around. This is the essence of Bulimia nervosa.

A person suffering from this disease regularly loses control over their appetite and overeats monstrously. Realizing this, he seeks to get rid of swallowed food: artificially induced vomiting, enemas, the use of laxatives and diuretics, attempts to go on an excessively strict diet for a while are used. However, bouts of binge eating recur over and over again.

The consequences of Bulimia nervosa can be different, up to the most severe:

1. Accelerated destruction of tooth enamel due to the fact that stomach acid regularly gets into the mouth.
2. Tooth decay and loss of teeth.
3. Swelling and soreness of the salivary glands due to repeated vomiting.
4. Stomach ulcer.
5. Ruptures of the stomach and esophagus.
6. Problems with bowel movements. The body gets used to enemas and cannot cope with the removal of waste products on its own.
7. Dehydration with all its consequences.
8. Arrhythmia.
9. Increased risk of heart attacks.
10. Decreased libido (sex drive).
11. Loss of interest in life, suicidal tendencies.

How to recognize bulimia

This is not as easy to do as it is in the case. While the anorexic tends to appear overly emaciated, bulimic victims are generally of normal weight.

It is often possible to assume bulimia nervosa only by indirect symptoms:

1. Excessive concern with their own weight and appearance.
2. A distinct disregard for fat people. For someone who suffers from bulimia, being overweight seems to be a shame, a sign of low social status, something unpleasant and infectious.
3. Repeated gluttony. Sometimes the bulimia victim eats unthinkable amounts of food.
4. In between - attempts to go on a diet, refusal of certain foods, vigorous exercise in the gym.
5. Love for laxatives, diuretic drinks, weight loss products.
6. The desire to go to the bathroom or toilet immediately after eating.
7. Red eyes. When vomiting is artificially induced, the vessels are overstrained, the capillaries burst.
8. Dental problems: They hurt, decay and fall out.
9. Complaints of sore throat: the result of the same vomiting.
10. Heartburn, indigestion, bloating.
11. Irregular periods.
12. Mood swings.

Each of these signs individually is not a cause for concern. But if you count at least 5-6 of them, this is a dangerous signal.

How to treat bulimia

As soon as possible. The sooner you see a psychotherapist, the easier it will be to overcome the disorder.

A psychotherapist will help you correct your eating behavior. And if necessary, she will prescribe antidepressants or other drugs that will facilitate control over hunger.

You may need to consult a nutritionist. He will teach you how to count calories and choose healthy food. And this will relieve the patient of the fear of gaining extra pounds.

Unfortunately, bulimia is a difficult condition to say goodbye to. It often happens that, even after being cured, people from time to time return to their old habits. And only thanks to willpower they begin to eat right again.

What are the causes of bulimia and how to prevent it

Why this disorder develops, scientists do not yet know. Most likely, several factors play a role at once:

1. with your own body.
2. Low self-esteem. By the way, it also triggers anorexia.
3. Perhaps heredity. Bulimia often affects several members of the same family at once, so physiologists do not exclude a genetic predisposition.

To prevent the development of an eating disorder, it is important to learn to love yourself. Accept your body. More often than not, bulimia begins with stress, resentment, and low self-esteem. At such times, family and friendly support is very important. Do not leave loved ones alone and do not hesitate to ask for help and encouragement yourself. This is the best way to prevent mental health problems.