Overcoming Bulimia

Bulimia is an eating disorder that’s characterized by a cycle of the following repetitive behaviors:

• Bingeing – consuming an enormous amount of food in a short period of time
• Purging – eliminating the food from one’s body (e.g. by vomiting, taking laxatives, enemas)

Bingeing leads to feelings of guilt and shame, which leads to an attempt to reduce these feelings via purging.  This binge-purge cycle can occur a few times a week, or multiple times a day, depending on the severity of the illness.

Whom Does Bulimia Affect?

The majority of people with bulimia are women, though the disorder certainly affects men too.  Bulimia tends to develop in late adolescence or early adulthood; it’s estimated that about 10% of college-age women have the disorder.  However, sometimes it develops earlier or later, depending on life circumstances.

What Causes Bulimia?

Though causes differ from person to person, there are factors that are thought to contribute to bulimia in some cases.  For example:

• Biological predisposition
• Stressful changes such as moving away to college or relationship breakup
• Low self-esteem
• Negative body-image
• Appearance-oriented hobby or profession (e.g. ballet, modeling, etc.)
• Traumatic events such as sexual abuse

How Can I Tell If I Have Bulimia?

If you think you may have the disorder, you may wish to complete this survey.  Select “true” or “false” for each statement, depending on if it generally describes you.  The more true statements you identify, the more likely it is that you have bulimia.  (*Please note that this is for informational purposes only. It’s not a diagnostic assessment.  You’ll need consult a mental health professional for a true diagnosis.*)

True/False            Sometimes I eat until I feel sick.

True/False            I feel guilty, embarrassed, and/or depressed after I eat a lot.

True/False            I try to control my weight by vomiting, using laxatives, or other methods of eliminating food I’ve eaten.

True/False            My fixation on my body and weight interferes with my ability to function normally.

True/False            I feel out of control when I’m bingeing, as if I won’t be able to stop.

True/False            If I eat just a bite of a “bad” food, I feel like I’ve failed completely so I might as well eat everything at that point.

True/False            I sneak into the kitchen late at night, or go out on food runs on my own so no one will see me bingeing.

True/False            Purging helps me reduce my feelings of guilt and shame.

How Can I Tell If A Loved One Has Bulimia?

While indications may differ from person to person, here are some common warning signs to look out for if you suspect someone you know may be suffering from bulimia:

• Eats excessively without gaining weight
• Frequent trips to the bathroom, usually after meals
• Swollen neck glands
• Discolored teeth
• Recurrent sore throat
• Bad breath
• Cuts and/or blisters on knuckles or back of hand

Potential Consequences of Bulimia

While consequences may differ from person to person, here’s an example of just a few potential ones:

• Frequent vomiting causes stomach acid to enter the esophagus, which can cause infection and an esophageal rupture.  Increased stomach acid can also lead to severe ulcers.
• Frequent vomiting can decrease enamel on the teeth, which can result in cavities and gum disease.
• Loss of menstrual periods can result from lack of proper nutrition.
• Loss of fluids and electrolytes caused by purging can lead to heart and kidney failure.
• The terrible stress of suffering from this disorder can lead to depression and even suicide in some cases.

Self-Help Suggestions

• Admit that you have an illness. It’s easier said than done, because many people suffering from bulimia feel that their problems will be solved when they achieve weight loss.  But it’s important to realize that weight is not the real issue at play; it’s a much deeper problem that may take a lot of time and hard work to resolve.
• Avoid situations that may trigger body image concerns, such as reading fashion magazines or spending time with friends who talk about diet and weight often.
• Join an eating disorder support group.  Going through the recovery process with others who understand your struggles can be very useful in helping you to feel less alone and to keep fighting to overcome this illness.
• Confide in trusted family members or friends.  Feeling socially isolated will likely make it harder to recover.  It’s helpful to let your loved ones know about your ups and downs because they care about your wellbeing and can be a support system for you during this difficult time.

Seeking Professional Treatment

While the above suggestions may be helpful in reducing your distress, they are not a replacement for treatment with a mental health professional.  Bulimia is a serious illness, and qualified therapists are trained to assist you in your recovery.  They might use methods such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and EMDR to help you to release painful memories that are contributing to your present suffering, and can work with you to develop healthier thinking and eating patterns.

You may be feeling alone in your pain, but you are not alone.  Many others have suffered with bulimia, and have managed to make a strong recovery with professional help and their own dedication to getting healthy again.  You deserve the same.

Please contact Mark Dworkin LCSW at (516) 731-7611 or mark@markdworkin.com for more information. Mark is available for speaking engagements for the general public and professional communities, radio and tv appearances, seminars, webinars, enhancing professional development, workshops and trainings.

Sources

http://www.epigee.org/mental_health/bulimia.html

http://helpguide.org/mental/bulimia_signs_symptoms_causes_treatment.htm