Bulimia Nervosa & Treatment
Bulimia Nervosa is a serious eating disorder which is the extreme result of emotional states we all face from time to time. All of us have had that time in our lives when we’re bored, lonely or have been going through some rough patches and turn to food for comfort. Even the media has played up this yearning for food during stressful times in popular movies or sitcom’s in a comedic fashion. When food cravings turn into disorders like Bulimia Nervosa, all humor dissipates.
Bulimia Nervosa is a compulsive disorder that is impossible to fight alone and it can become a vicious cycle that you can’t seem to escape from, taking a serious toll on your body, your self esteem and even your relationships. Understanding Bulimia Nervosa and reaching out for the proper treatment if you do indeed have the disorder should be a priority.
Treatment for Bulimia Nervosa typically addresses the psychological aspects of the sufferer, much like other eating disorders. Sometimes there will be medications involved but most of these address chemical imbalances and psychological issues as well. Bulimia really is a disorder that plagues your mind because you aren’t eating due to the demands of your body but due to the stress and emotional reactions that go on in your head. It’s important to remember that external factors trigger the eating disorder, not internal. You’ll be stressed out at work, or grieving somebody, or struggling through a certain situation and suddenly feel compelled to blindly force feed yourself in an empty effort to find relief only to purge later in many cases which can be a major disaster to your health.
Bulimia that occurs with other disorders may take longer to treat and you may need more than one type of treatment. If other common conditions like substance abuse or depression are present with Bulimia, the other conditions will more than likely be treated before tackling the actual eating disorder.
Individuals who reach out for Bulimia Nervosa treatment are often pushed to making the decision because of re-occurring health issues. If they’ve had the disorder for a significant amount of time without treatment, or if the sufferer has been purging or using diuretics or laxatives, they can end up needing hospital care to treat issues like dehydration. If this sounds like you, reaching out for help can save your life.
At times individuals who suffer with Bulimia end up getting discouraged because recovery can take months and even years, and relapses are fairly common which is why it’s important to ask for professional help. The initial treatment will depend on how extreme the Bulimia disorder is and how long the sufferer has been dealing with it.
Bulimia: Here are some of the common warning signs that a person may be suffering from bulimia:
- Engages in binge eating and cannot voluntarily stop.
- Uses the bathroom frequently after meals.
- Reacts to emotional stress by overeating.
- Has menstrual irregularities.
- Has swollen facial glands, giving her chipmunk cheeks.
- Experiences frequent fluctuations in weight.
- Cannot voluntarily stop eating.
- Is obsessively concerned about weight.
- Attempts to adhere to diets, but generally fails.
- Feels guilty or ashamed about eating.
- Feels out of control.
- Has depressive moods.
If Bulimia Nervosa isn’t addressed correctly recovering can be impossible which brings us to FINE to FAB and their consultants; they specialize in eating disorders and helping restore a quality life. If you or someone you love is suffering from Bulimia, the sooner the treatment for the disorder begins, the sooner a full recovery can be expected; reach out for help today and change your life.
If you need to get a handle on your fear of being not good enough, please reach out. We can help you can get on with your life.
