Curing Bulimia
Diagnosing Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia Nervosa is oftentimes diagnosed in females between the ages of 13 and 20 and is a compulsive eating disorder. Many individuals suffer with frequent bouts with obesity and attempt to overcome this by restricting the intake of food or radically purging what is consumed. Bulimia is one of several eating disorders that oftentimes become dangerous. About 90% of the cases reported involve women and if it isn’t caught early enough and treated, it can become life-threatening and even fatal.
The more serious conditions that oftentimes develop include damage to the heart, injury to the digestive system, and kidney damage. Additionally, there are two types of bulimia:
The purging type of Bulimia – the most common type and these bulimics engage in self-induced vomiting by ingesting diuretics, emetics (e.g. syrup of ipecac) enemas, or laxatives in order to rapidly dispel the food they just consumed.
The non-purging type of Bulimia – this type only occurs in 6% to 8% of the total number of Bulimia cases. These Bulimics typically fight gaining weight by exercising or fasting excessively after binging to counteract their caloric intake without the use of the methods employed by the purging Bulimic although they will rely on crash diets as well as excessive exercising and fasting as a secondary measure.
What causes Bulimia?
Unfortunately, clinical and medical research has yet to uncover the true cause or causes of Bulimia. There is some speculation as to what some of the possible causes are including:
- anxiety disorders
- cultural differences
- genetics/heredity
- low self esteem and poor self-image
- obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- unhealthy relationships with either family members, parents, or loved ones
Alcohol and drug abuse along with self-mutilation and sexual promiscuity can also result when the individual is suffering with bulimia.
Bulimia symptoms
When a person is developing bulimia nervosa or suffering with the disorder, they will have any of the following symptoms or a combination thereof:
- an acute fear of becoming obese
- consuming large quantities of food over a short period of time (an hour or less)
- excessive pre-occupation with body shape and weight
- feelings of embarrassment, guilt, shame, self-criticism, and unhappy moods, especially after alternating episodes of binging and purging
- kidney problems
- excessive dieting, exercising, and fasting
- tooth decay resulting from continual exposure to digestive acids
Most individuals suffering with the disorder don’t know what is involved in curing bulimia without getting professional help. The objective of any bulimia treatment is to decrease or eliminate the tendency to binge and purge. At the Harmony Grove wellness center, we specialize in curing Bulimia so that our clients are able to overcome the disorder and don’t have to fear relapsing back into it. Call us today for more information about our programs.