Some mental health problems have a tangible impact on life, one of them is bulimia nervosa or bulimia as an eating disorder in which patients eat too much food and then try to offset the results of this overeating in various ways doing acts like forced vomiting, the use of laxatives or enemas, forced exercise, or fasting. Bulimia nervosa usually begins in adolescence or young adulthood and affects women more than men.
The cause of bulimia nervosa is unknown. But it is believed that a combination of biological, psychological and social factors is the cause. This condition can have severe physical and mental consequences and even be life-threatening if left untreated.
This article will discuss 8 things you should know about bulimia .stay with us until the end of the article.
Not everyone with bulimia forces themselves vomit
According to the explanations of the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), contrary to popular belief, bulimia nervosa and vomiting are not necessarily related, but this myth is so ingrained that almost everyone thinks that compulsive vomiting is necessary for bulimia diagnosis .
In fact, bulimia nervosa is characterized by repeated episodes of binge-eating followed by attempts to compensate in one way or another. This compensation can be through vomiting, fasting, using laxatives or enemas, and very intense exercise. So, as you can see, a person may choose a compensatory method other than vomiting.
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Bulimia does not only affect young girls
Historically, eating disorders such as bulimia nervosa have often been considered only in a specific population: young women (especially white ones who can afford treatment). However, this disorder is not limited to this group. In a 2017 BMC Medicine study, researchers interviewed 5,658 middle-aged women in the U.K. More than 15 percent of the participants had experienced an eating disorder at some point in their lives, and approximately 4 percent had experienced the disorder in the past year So it is clear that this type of disordered eating behavior can appear or continue at any age.
The number of men with bulimia varies by source, but NEDA estimates that approximately 0.1% of young men in the United States, United Kingdom, and Europe meet diagnostic criteria for bulimia at any given time.
bulimia is not always to avoid weight gain and saying in shape
Some people mistakenly believe that bulimia nervosa results because people want to have the same body as celebrities; So, if he a person does not pay much attention to their body shape, they do not have this disease at all while, eating disorders are caused by a complex interplay between genetic, psychological and environmental factors. Although one of the main symptoms of an eating disorder is an excessive emphasis on thinness, many patients describe their behaviors as attempts to control anxiety, shame, and impulsivity.
Willpower is not enough to overcome bulimia
Bulimia is a complex disorder that usually requires outside assistance to change and treat. It is incorrect to assume that willpower alone is sufficient to change bulimia or any other mental health problem.
Although research on the neurological similarities between bulimia nervosa and addiction is unclear, some studies suggest that bulimia can resemble an addiction. In this situation, the more people try to stop themselves, the more they lose control.
People with bulimia are not always underweight
One of the common misconceptions about bulimia is that everyone with bulimia (or any other eating disorder) is underweight. But this is not correct. Many people who struggle with this disorder are within the normal weight range, and this makes them avoid accepting that they have bulimia nervosa. Sometimes, even when bulimia has destroyed a person’s life, others may think that his or her life is completely normal.
Bulimia can be harmful and even life-threatening
Bulimia can lead to many health-related problems such as tooth decay, sore throat caused by vomiting, anemia, epilepsy, hormonal irregularities and menstrual problems and even lead to issues such as fertility disorders. Bulimia can even be life-threatening. However, this doesn’t just mean that a person is at risk of suffering and death from consuming low amounts of calories. There are several ways that bulimia can cause death. One of them is the disorder and imbalance in the electrolytes of the person’s body. Electrolytes are chemicals that help keep the heart beating regularly. Therefore, unbalanced electrolytes can cause cardiac arrest.
On the other hand, severe overeating can lead to stomach rupture. Esophagus may also rupture under the pressure caused by vomiting in the long term. Both of these changes can lead to death.
People with eating disorders, including bulimia, are also at risk for other mental illnesses such as depression and suicide attempts.
On the other hand, bulimia nervosa sufferers who exercise too much may be at risk of serious complications such as electrolyte imbalance and dehydration (and related problems such as cardiac arrest).
Recovery from bulimia is possible
Although many people may have periods of relapse, this is not always the case and some patients recover completely. What is important is that the patient should be treated in order to eliminate the causes of bulimia.
People with bulimia need support and care
What is important about bulimia nervosa is that many sufferers face social stigma and rejection. This is while these conditions only make their problems worse and are obstacles to improvement. Accepting a person with bulimia nervosa, empathizing with them and referring them to a specialist can help a lot in the treatment of the affected people.
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Conclusion
Bulimia, also known as bulimia nervosa, is one of the common eating disorders in which the patient eats frequently and then tries to neutralize the eaten food by using compensatory measures. These measures include vomiting, use of laxatives, or forced vigorous exercise. Bulimia can have devastating and even life-threatening effects. This condition is rarely treated without medical intervention. Treatment requires a combination of methods, including psychotherapy, medication, and support from family and friends
