Bulimia Nervosa - Causes, Symptoms And Treatment

Bulimia is not merely an eating disorder but also a psychological ailment in which the patient suffers from a notion that s/he does not have an ideal body weight or shape and consequently has very low self-esteem. Bulimic persons often compare themselves adversely to perceived images of an ideal body shape and indulge in feeling of self-hatred, irrespective of whether they actually have a weight problem. They often overeat and then adopt artificial means of expelling the food they have consumed like forceful, self-induced vomiting and extreme exercise. The most common physical symptoms of bulimia nervosa are unusual bowel movements, exhaustion, sore gums and damaged teeth, dehydration, dry skin and irregular heartbeat. The psychological symptoms of bulimia nervosa are abnormal preoccupation with body shape and weight, feelings of severe anxiety about how much food one eats, visiting the toilet during or immediately after meals, excessive use of laxatives and enemas, over-exercising and crash dieting. The patient also often binges on food when no one is around, eating till the point that it becomes painful, and then follows it up with a session of self-purgation. Mostly, it is younger people who suffer from this disease, as they are more vulnerable to the social pressure to attain a certain desirable body image. It has been observed that women are more prone to bulimia than men, as there is a very strong trend in the West to promote thinness as a desirable physical attribute for women.

Tips To Treat Bulimia Nervosa

It is necessary that a bulimic patient have emotional support from a close circle of family members and friends, as they can help him/her get rid of the feelings of guilt and self-hatred as well as monitor the patient’s eating habits. Bulimic patients need professional medical help for treatment. They must be convinced to follow the prescribed diet routine religiously, even if it is a little uncomfortable in the beginning. If the patient undergoes therapy sessions, individually or in groups, make sure that s/he does not miss any. Even if you are dieting in order to lose excessive body fat, make sure that you do not overdo it, as this may lead to bulimia. Adolescents need to be properly guided about the sudden and drastic changes that take place in their bodies due to hormonal activities. Parents or elders should counsel them to tackle peer pressure and prevent them from feelings of low self-esteem. Keeping oneself engaged in activities like sports, music, painting, and so on helps the patient relax and keeps away depression and anxiety.