Bulimia
Nervosa
The
National Institute of Mental Health estimates that Bulimia
Nervosa may affect more females than Anorexia. Symptoms
of Bulimia Nervosa, known to
sufferers as Mia, include frequent
episodes of excessive eating known as binging followed
by attempts to avoid gaining weight from the episode
by purging the food by vomiting, using laxatives or
excessive exercise.
Anorexia
and bulimia are both unhealthy but bulimia
is often masked since sufferers often maintain appear
to be within a healthy weight range. A bulimic
will eat thousands of calories in an hour or two and
then, overwhelmed with guilt and shame over the binge
will attempt to throw up what has been eaten in order
to avoid gaining weight. Treatment
for bulimia is required to break the habitual cycle
that develops.
Who
sufferers from Bulimia Nervosa?
Studies
show that millions of young women suffer from Bulimia
at some point in their lifetime. The cycle of overeating
and purging is caused by constant self-evaluation and
fear of gaining weight. There are several personality
traits that are common in Bulimics. These include an
inability to control self gratification and indulgent
behaviors. This lack of control of self-indulgence can
lead to binge eating several times a week over the course
of months and years. The guilt and shame created by
binging is relieved by the purging. Bulimics may use
several different methods of purging in addition to
vomiting. Excessive exercise, fasting, laxatives and
enemas are all used in conjunction or as alternatives
to vomiting.
Why
is Bulimia dangerous?
It
is easy to see how binging and purging requires secrecy
and leads to isolation and depression. Bulimia symptoms
create a cycle of self-loathing that is extremely difficult
to break on one’s own. The purging cycle and weight
fluctuations have a negative impact on the bodies electrolyte
and chemical balances that affect all major organs including
the heart. Damage to the esophagus from vomiting is
common as is tooth decay and discoloration caused repeated
exposure to stomach acids. Eating
disorder treatment is always recommended for sufferers
of bulimia.
How
is Bulimia Nervosa treated?
The
Miramar Health Eating Disorder Intensive Outpatient
Program has many bulimia treatment
options. The goal is to reduce and eliminate the
cycle of binge eating and purging. Anorexia
and bulimia are both treated by comprehensive therapy
sessions given frequently in both the group setting
and one on one with a counselor. Meals are educational
opportunities supervised by a licensed chef and dietetically
appropriate for the client. Through a balanced psychodynamic,
cognitive-behavioral and expressive treatment format,
combined with regular mealtime experience, participants
can confront and resolve the debilitating issues they
experience regarding food intake. If you or a loved
one requires professional help with an eating disorder
please call Miramar Health right now.
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