Bulimia,is characterised by overeating
Bulimia,is characterised by overeating followed by self-induced vomiting and sometimes purging with laxatives. It can develop at any age, often starts in the mid teens. However, people don't usually seek help for it until their early to mid-twenties because they are able to hide it, even though it affects their work and social life. People most often seek help when their life changes like the the start of a new relationship or having to live with other people for the first time.
About 4 out of every 100 women suffers with it at some time in their lives, rather fewer men.
Binge EatingYou raid the fridge or go out and buy lots of fattening foods that you would normally avoid. You then go back to your room, or home, and eat it all, quickly, in secret. You might get through packets of biscuits, several boxes of chocolates and a number of cakes in just a couple of hours. You may even take someone else’s food, or shoplift, to satisfy the urge to binge. Afterwards you feel stuffed and bloated – and probably guilty and depressed. You try to get rid of the food you have eaten by making yourself sick, or by purging with laxatives. It is very uncomfortable and tiring, but you find yourself trapped in a routine of binge eating, and vomiting and/or purging.It’s important to know that everyone will not have the same symptoms.Some people will have a mix of symptoms and you do not need to have all these symptoms to have an eating disorder.It was only in 1979 that this condition was recognised by doctors as an eating disorder in its own right. The term bulimia nervosa means literally ‘the nervous hunger of an ox’. The hunger, however, is really an emotional need that cannot be satisfied by food alone. After binge-eating a large quantity of food to fill the emotional or hunger gap, there is an urge to immediately get rid of the food by vomiting or taking laxatives (or both), by starving or reducing food intake, or by working off the calories with exercise in an attempt not to gain weight Is more difficult for others to noticeAs you tend not to lose weight so dramatically, or your weight will fluctuate. Even people close to you at home or work may not recognise the illness, so it can persist for many years undetected. People with bulimia may have demanding jobs that require them to be out-going and self-assured even when they feel inadequate inside. As with anorexia, people who develop bulimia become reliant on the control of food and eating as a way of coping with emotional difficulties in their life. You may also find you become obsessed with maintaining your weight.You are most likely to develop This in your late teens to early 20s. This sometimes occurs because of a belief that bulimia will help you to diet successfully where other attempts to lose weight have failed. It is also often associated with low self-esteem or a general lack of self-confidence. You may have previously had anorexia.
Some of the signs include:Binge-eating large amounts of food Obsession with food and calories Vomiting and purging Often disappearing to the lavatory after meals Secretive behaviour Feeling out of control Disrupted menstrual periods Very low self-esteem Sleep badly. Become obsessive about food and eating (and sometimes other things such as washing, cleaning or tidiness). Lose interest in other people. Find it difficult to concentrate or think clearly about anything other than food or calories. Long-term effects of bulimiaIn a similar way to anorexia, can take over the life of the person with the disorder, making them feel trapped and desperate. Bingeing, purging and dramatic loss of fluids can cause physical problems which can usually be corrected once the body is nourished in an even and moderate way. in extreme cases, be fatal due to heart failure. An imbalance or dangerously low levels of the essential minerals in the body can significantly, even fatally affect the working of vital internal organs. Other dangers of bulimia include rupture of the stomach, choking, and erosion of tooth enamel, painful swallowing and drying up of salivary glands. Laxative abuse can lead to serious bowel problems.
TreatmentIts Importantant To seek Professional help.your from your G.P/DoctorWho can refer you to a specialist counsellor, psychiatrist or psychologist. Your eating disorder may have caused physical problems or you may have an unrecognised medical condition.A specialist will want to find out when the problem started and how it developed. You will be weighed and, depending on how much weight you've lost, may need a physical examination and blood tests. A dietician may talk to you about healthy eating. You may need a vitamin supplement. Return to High Spirit Home Page
New! CommentsHave your say about This web Page! Leave me a comment in the box below. |
Eating Disorders
Return to Health A _ Z guide
Return to Mental Health Home Page
Eating Disorders What are they
Anorexia Information and Helplines
Bulimia Information and Helplines
Teenagers and Anorexia Information and Helplines
Anorexia Bulimia Care.co.uk