Bulimia
Most people have heard the expression binge and purge and recognize that it refers to bulimia nervosa. Whereas bulimia is characterized by this binge-purge cycle, it is so much more than eating and vomiting. True, a woman or adolescent with bulimia will consume huge quantities of food -- often to the point of extreme physical discomfort -- then induce vomiting. If vomiting is not an option, due to inability or general disgust of the behavior, she may turn to excessive exercise or laxative abuse.
But the question remains "why do people do this?"
Bulimia, like most eating disorders, is not about food, it’s about feelings. Bulimia is used by people as a way to cope with unpleasant emotions. Say a young woman goes away to college. She feels a tremendous amount of pressure to prove herself academically. This need to achieve is added to the normal stressors of making friends, fitting in, adjusting to dorm life. She is far from home and family support. These negative feelings of anxiety, stress, and perhaps depression, build up. Indeed, she is overwhelmed by these emotions. But she discovers that her stress diminishes markedly when eating. While looking at food, touching and tasting, she feels better ... so she eats. Not surprisingly, after ingesting so much food, she is consumed by guilt and concerned about weight gain ... so she purges it from her system. The act of vomiting causes her brain to release soothing endorphins into her bloodstream, which provides a sense of calm. When the stress builds again, she repeats the behavior; before she knows it, she feels addicted to the bulimic behavior.
The problem with bulimia is that it seems to work, at first. But the short-term social consequences and the long-term medical complications are immense.
Remember...Bulimia is a very real and very dangerous illness. If you struggle with bulimia, keep in mind, there is nothing wrong with your feelings, there are simply healthier ways to deal with them. Professional counseling can help you cope and process your feelings more effectively.
Discover more about this important topic by checking out our informative Articles Library.
Articles
Signs and Symptoms of Eating Disorders
Submitted By Rader Programs
Eating disorders are complex diseases and not just a condition that can be treated with willpower. They meet the definition of a disease because like other diseases they have a particular destructive process for an individual, with a specific cause (that cause can be either known or unknown), and display characteristic symptoms. All eating disorders are primary diseases and not the secondary result of some other disorder. They are chronic conditions with an identifiable progression and predictable symptoms. Eating disorders arise out of the combination of genetic, sociological, and psychological factors... Read More
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Important Non-Profit Organizations that Support Eating Disorder Research, Treatment & Recovery:
- National Eating Disorder Association: The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) is the largest not-for-profit organization in the United States working to prevent eating disorders and provide treatment referrals to those suffering from anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder and those concerned with body image and weight issues.
- Academy for Eating Disorders: The Academy for Eating Disorders is an international transdisciplinary professional organization that promotes excellence in research, treatment and prevention of eating disorders. The AED provides education, training and a forum for collaboration and professional dialogue.
- Eating Disorders Coalition: Mission to advance the federal recognition of eating disorders as a public health priority.
- Anorexia Nervosa and Related Eating Disorders, Inc: A nonprofit organization that provides information about anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and other less well-known food and weight disorders. Our material includes self-help tips and information about recovery and prevention.
- International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals: The International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals (iaedp™) is well recognized for its excellence in providing first-quality education and high-level training standards to an international multidisciplinary group of various healthcare treatment providers and helping professions, who treat the full spectrum of eating disorder problems.
- National Assoc of Anorexia Nervosa & Related Disorders: The National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, Inc. is a non-profit corporation which seeks to alleviate the problems of eating.
***Please consider donating to these outstanding organizations to further their efforts in healing eating disorders and promoting well-being.