Remuda Ranch

Bulimia

Anorexia and bulimia are the common eating disorders in America today. In certain ways, they are similar in that both are related to feelings and emotional issues. Both are focused on diet and weight. But whereas individuals with anorexia starve themselves to dangerously thin levels, those with bulimia eat large amounts of food—sometimes thousands of calories at a time—and then purge the calories out of their bodies through vomiting, excessive exercise, fasting, laxatives, and other methods.

Women, more than men, struggle with eating disorders. As with any addictive behavior, they find that bulimia can soon influence and shape their entire life, compromise their health, and hurt relationships with friends and others at home.

Unlike with anorexia, it is not immediately obvious when a person is struggling with bulimia. Their weight is not low and they often seem healthy. Usually, the only overt physical signs are swollen cheeks or scrapes on their fingers, the result of induced vomiting. Dentists are often the only ones to recognize the problem, due to damage to the teeth from repeated exposure to stomach acid.

It is not unusual for a person with bulimia to want to stop. They experience a large amount of guilt and a great deal of shame regarding their behaviors. Their sense is that they have a total loss of control in their lives. They feel a high level of stress, yet they cannot change.

If bulimia is severe and prolonged, the medical consequences are extremely serious, especially if laxatives are abused. These include injury to the stomach, intestines and esophagus and damage to the heart and kidneys. Fortunately, many of these medical complications can improve once a person recovers from the disorder.

Criteria

• Binge-Eating on a regular basis
• Purging: Regular efforts to avoid weight gain, including: self-induced vomiting, laxative abuse, diuretics, enemas, other medications, fasting, or excessive exercise.
• Frequency: episodes of binge eating and purging both occur, on average, at least twice a week for three months.
• Body Image Issues: Making your weight the only thing you judge yourself on.

Warning Signs

• Excessive thoughts about weight
• Strict dieting followed by eating binge eating
• Frequent overeating, especially when distressed
• Bingeing on high calorie, sweet foods
• Use of laxatives, diuretics, strict dieting, vigorous exercise, and/or vomiting to control weight
• Leaving for the bathroom after meals
• Being secretive about binges or vomiting
• Planning binges or opportunities to binge
• Feeling out of control
• Depressive moods

Eating disorders are very much in the news and many resources exist that can provide valuable information. Read some of the following Articles on Bulimia

• Battling Bulimia
• Bulimia Medical Complications
• Exercise Compulsion and Its Dangers
• Hazards of Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa

Remember, eating disorders are psychological illnesses; as such, therapy is usually required. If you or someone you know is struggling with bulimia, or any other type of eating disorder such as anorexia, please get help. The earlier treatment is sought, the better the chance of a full and permanent recovery. Begin by calling Remuda Programs for Eating Disorders today at 1-800-445-1900.