Bulimia

What is bulimia?

Bulimia is an eating disorder that is harmful to a person's physical and mental health. People with bulimia eat large amounts of food in a short time (binge). Guilt and fear then cause them to get rid of the food (purge) by vomiting or other means such as overexercising.

People with bulimia have a difficult time controlling their eating behavior. They may be afraid to eat in public or with other people because they are afraid they won't be able to control their urges to binge and purge. Their fear may cause them to avoid being around people. They also may

People with bulimia often suffer from other problems as well, such as

Bingeing and Purging

During a binge, people with bulimia eat large amounts of food, often in less than a few hours. Eating during a binge is almost mindless. They eat without paying attention to what the food tastes like or if they are hungry or full. Binges usually end when there is no more food to eat, their stomachs hurt from eating, or something such as a phone call breaks their concentration on bingeing.

After bingeing, people with bulimia feel guilty and are afraid of gaining weight. To ease their guilt and fear, they purge the food from their bodies by vomiting or other means. They also may turn to extreme exercise or strict dieting. This period of "control" lasts until the next binge, and then the cycle starts again.

Bulimia becomes an attempt to control 2 very strong impulses—the desire to eat and the desire to be thin.

Effects of bulimia

Bulimia can cause serious damage to the body. For example,

Successful treatment of eating disorders involves a team approach. The team includes many health care professionals working together, each treating a certain aspect of the disorder. Treatment should begin with a visit to a pediatrician to see how the eating disorder has affected the body. If the effects are severe, the person may need medical treatment or even need to be hospitalized.

People with bulimia also may need to be hospitalized to treat medical complications, replace needed nutrients in the body, or stop the cycle of bingeing and purging.

Counseling is an important part of treatment. Counseling helps people with eating disorders understand how they use food as a way to deal with problems and feelings. It helps them improve their self-images and develop the confidence to take control of their lives. Family therapy usually is needed to help family members understand the problem, how to be encouraging and supportive, and how to help manage the symptoms. Nutrition counseling with a registered dietitian also is recommended to assist patients and families in returning to healthy eating habits.

Living with an eating disorder is very hard on teens and their families! The wear and tear on the body is tremendous. Without help, a person with an eating disorder can have serious health problems, become very sick, and even die. However, with treatment, a person can get well and go on to lead a healthy life.