Overview
Bulimia Nervosa more commonly referred to as bulimia, is an eating disorder and a mental health condition that can have a negative impact on a person’s physical health and mental wellbeing, as well as their family and social life.
Bulima generally starts in the early teens or twenties and is more common in females than males. Whilst it occurs more often in teenagers, it can also start later in life. People who have bulimia become obsessed with their weight and body shape and spend a lot of time thinking about food, even when they don’t want to. They often feel as though they have lost control and try to compensate by controlling their weight and diet.
They do this by eating large amounts of food, often quickly and in secret, which is known as binge eating, then they purge themselves by a variety of means including vomiting, taking laxatives or diuretics, fasting or exercising excessively in order not to gain weight. This becomes a vicious cycle that can be very difficult to beak and can have a serious effect on their physical and mental health over time.
Symptoms and behaviours of someone with bulimia
Symptoms can vary amongst individuals and are not always easy to see as people with bulimia are often secretive, and as they don’t always lose weight, the symptoms can be hard to detect. This can make spotting the warning signs early of someone having the condition difficult. Bulimia can include symptoms such as:
Behavioural symptoms
- Going to the toilet straight after eating a meal
- Not wanting to eat in front of other people
- Hiding or stealing food or eating alone or in secret
- Spending large amounts of money on food
- Avoiding looking at their reflection in mirrors or windows
- Develop dieting behaviours like calorie counting or restricting certain food groups
- Using diet supplements or laxatives and diuretics to avoid weight gain or lose weight
- Exercising excessively
- Using gum and breath freshener all the time
- Drinking large amounts of water or low calorie drinks
Physical symptoms
- Vomiting which can also result in callouses on the back of the hands from inducing vomiting
- Damage to tooth enamel, tooth decay, gum disease as well as damage to the throat and bad breath from stomach acid
- Digestive problems, constipation or diarrhoea, stomach pains, ulcers and bloating
- Problems sleeping
- Electrolyte imbalances, vitamin and nutritional deficiencies
- Dehydration
- Feeling weak, faint or light-headed
- Heart problems
- Feeling cold even when it’s warm
- Kidney failure
- Swelling of the feet, hands, face or throat
- Flaky, itchy or dry skin conditions
- Irregular menstrual cycle or having it stop completely
- A reduction in their libido or sex drive
Psychological symptoms
- Becoming socially withdrawn
- Being self-critical about their appearance
- Developing self-harming behaviours including substance misuse
- Feelings of guilt or self-loathing particularly after binging
- Mood swings which can also be caused by fluctuations in blood sugar levels
- Feelings of anxiety especially around food and eating
- Negative self-image and a fear of gaining weight
- Depression or suicidal thoughts
- Low self-esteem and confidence
Causes
It’s not known exactly why a person develops bulimia but there are thought to be several factors that can contribute, these can include the following:
- Having poor confidence, feelings of low self-worth or self-esteem
- Suffer from anxiety or an obsessive personality disorder
- Have suffered physical or sexual abuse or any form of trauma or extreme stress
- Feeling pressured to be slim because of their social status or employment such as, celebrities, influencers, models, actors, dancers, singers or any occupation that puts their physical image in the spotlight and open to public opinion and comments
- If you were criticised about your weight, body shape or eating habits.
- Have a family member who has had an eating disorder or suffered from depression or alcohol or drug addiction.
Seeking Help
If you think you have bulimia, or know someone you think might have bulimia, then initially you should seek advice, or encourage them to seek advice from a medical professional. They can check to see if your symptoms are due to any undiagnosed physical health condition and prescribe the necessary medication or treatment.
If they think you have bulimia they can refer you to a nutritionist who can provide nutritional advice and help you to learn healthier eating habits. They may also prescribe antianxiety or antidepressant medications if you are struggling with anxiety or depression.
There are a range of therapies that can help you to overcome your bulimia. Talking therapies such as CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) can help you recognise and change negative thoughts and behaviours around food, as well as how to recognise your triggers that lead to your binge eating and purging. Along with counselling and psychotherapy which can help with associated conditions or underlying causes such as anxiety, depression, trauma or substance misuse, as well as helping you to rebuild your confidence, self-esteem and body.
You can make a full recovery from bulimia but it will take time and can be hard, as unlike, with other disordered behaviours abstinence is not an option. Relapses tend to be a slow and steady slip back into negative behaviours. You should remind yourself that relapses are to be expected and are not a sign of failure. Be honest and open and seek help rather than isolating yourself. If your coping mechanisms are no longer working then you may need to rethink them or discuss them with your therapist to find a way forward. Don’t dwell on the fact that you relapsed, learn from it and while you may have negative emotions surrounding it, don’t let them overcome you. It’s all part of your long-term recovery and it doesn’t mean you won’t make a full recovery in time. Written by Jan, Jeana and Wendy at Barnsley Hypnosis and Counselling (UK). For more free information click above link.
