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Mental Bulimia: Silent Damage

Mental Bulimia: Silent Damage

Mental Bulimia: Silent Damage

Bulimia: A Mental Illness Affecting Many Women

What is Bulimia?

Bulimia nervosa, known as bulimia, is a mental illness, commonly called bulimia, which is a serious eating disorder that can be life-threatening. This means that a woman affected by it loses control over her food intake. If you eat large amounts of food in one meal, this usually happens in secret, and you often feel intense guilt and shame. Then you try to get rid of the excess food and calories in an unhealthy way, such as by vomiting or abusing laxatives.

Causes of Bulimia

The exact cause of bulimia (excessive appetite) is still unknown. Genes may play a role in developing it and other appetite disorders. Mental health and family history may also play a role. Also, societal pressures to be thin may play a role. Note that there is often an alternation between a stage in which eating behaviors are normal, and another stage in which eating is compulsive.

Early Signs of Bulimia

In general, bulimia does not occur overnight. It is important for affected women or girls to seek support early, because the end of the disease is highly linked to the speed of starting treatment. Possible early signs of an eating disorder include:

  • Dissatisfaction with eating behavior
  • Bothered by weight and diet
  • Harassed by body shape
  • Eating in secret
  • Vomiting and compulsive eating episodes

Signs of Bulimia in Different Age Groups

Dr. Hisham explained that the symptoms of bulimia (excessive appetite) may include the following:

  • Living in fear of gaining weight and trying to lose weight in unhealthy ways
  • Eating frequently and abnormally large amounts of food at one meal
  • Feeling out of control during bouts of bulimia
  • Vomiting on purpose or exercising excessively after binge eating so as not to gain weight
  • Using medications that make a woman or girl urinate, called diuretics, laxatives, or enemas, to defecate without having to use them
  • Fasting, reducing calories, or skipping certain foods between binges
  • Use nutritional supplements or herbal products to lose weight. These products may be dangerous

Serious Effects of Bulimia on Your Daily Life

Dr. Hisham added that females are more susceptible to bulimia (excessive appetite) than males. Bulimia usually begins in the late teens or young adulthood. Bulimia of the mind may cause many serious and sometimes life-threatening complications, most notably:

  • Malnutrition
  • Lack of self-worth, feeling hopeless, or even thinking about suicide
  • Problems interacting with others or social isolation
  • Not drinking enough fluids, which may lead to serious health problems, such as kidney failure
  • Heart problems, such as an irregular heartbeat or heart failure
  • Severe tooth decay and gum disease
  • Absence of the menstrual cycle or its occurrence irregularly
  • Gastrointestinal problems, including tears in the tube that carries food, or perforation of the stomach or small intestine. You may also have rectal prolapse, which is when part of the large intestine slips out of the anus
  • Conditions that occur alongside bulimia include anxiety, depression, personality disorders, or bipolar disorders

Preventing Mental Bulimia to Maintain Your Health and Fitness

Dr. Hisham pointed out that although there is no proven way to prevent bulimia, we can push the patient towards practicing better healthy behaviors or undergoing specialized treatment before things get worse. This is done through the following instructions:

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  • Promote and support your healthy body image no matter your size or body shape
  • Gain self-confidence in many aspects of your personality, not just your outward appearance
  • Eat regular, enjoyable meals with your family
  • Avoid talking about weight or body shape at home
  • Get rid of the desire to go on a diet; Especially if you include unhealthy behaviors to maintain weight, such as: “excessive fasting, categorizing foods as good or bad, taking weight loss supplements or laxatives, or forcing yourself to vomit”
  • Talk to your primary health care professional to learn about early signs of eating problems

Conclusion

In conclusion, bulimia is a serious mental illness that affects many women. It is important to seek support early and to practice healthy behaviors to prevent the disease from getting worse. If you or someone you know is suffering from bulimia, it is important to seek professional help from a mental health professional or a specialized clinic.

FAQs

Q: What are the early signs of bulimia?
A: The early signs of bulimia include dissatisfaction with eating behavior, bothered by weight and diet, harassed by body shape, eating in secret, and vomiting and compulsive eating episodes.

Q: How can I prevent bulimia?
A: You can prevent bulimia by promoting and supporting your healthy body image no matter your size or body shape, gaining self-confidence in many aspects of your personality, eating regular, enjoyable meals with your family, and avoiding talking about weight or body shape at home.

Q: What are the serious effects of bulimia on your daily life?
A: The serious effects of bulimia on your daily life include malnutrition, lack of self-worth, feeling hopeless, or even thinking about suicide, problems interacting with others or social isolation, not drinking enough fluids, and heart problems, among others.

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