Bulimia Excerpts taken from www.eatingdisorderinfo.org
Definition:
Bulimia Nervosa: (binge-purge) is a life threatening eating disorder characterized by bingeing and purging. Symptoms include: repeated episodes of bingeing and purging; eating beyond the point of fullness and feeling out of control during a binge; purging after a binge (by means of self-induced vomiting, excessive use of diuretics and laxatives, fasting, diet pills, and/or excessive exercising); frequent dieting; and extreme concern with body weight and shape. As opposed to anorexia nervosa, a bulimic usually maintains a normal body weight with only a slight fluctuation. The individual will feel completely out of control and abnormal, and conger up feelings of depression, shame and self-deprecation. The bulimic cycle becomes habitual and highly addictive.
Signs and Symptoms:Binging and Purging Secretive Eating: Missing Food Visits to the bathroom after meals Feelings of guilt after eating Severe self-criticism weight flucuations (10-20 lbs.) Discoloration and / or tooth decay High levels of anxiety and/or depression Poor self-esteem Preoccupation with food Swollen, parotid glands in the neck and puffiness in cheeks Excessive and compulsive exercise regimes - despite fatigue, illness, or injury Abuse of laxatives, diet pills, ipecac, and/or diuretics Constant sore throat Feels like he/she has no control over food Calluses on the back of the hands and knuckles from self-induced vomiting Broken blood vessels in eyes Withdrawal from usual friends and activities Decreased impulse control - i.e. drugs, alcohol, spending, mood, etc.
How to help your friend:
Do's
- Increase your knowledge about eating disorders (request information packets, read books, attend seminars).
- Talk with the person about your concerns in a loving and supportive way. It is important to discuss these issues with honesty and respect.
- Talk with the person at an appropriate time and place - in private, free from distractions.
- Encourage the person to seek professional help as soon as possible. Suggest that she/he see someone who specializes in eating disorders (a physician, therapist or dietician).
- Be prepared that the person may deny that she/he has a problem. If so, and if she/he refuses to get help, it will be important to tell someone else about your concerns. If your friend is under 18, her/his parents need to know immediately.
- Listen with a nonjudgmental ear.
- Talk about things other than food, weight, and exercise.
- Be available when your friend needs someone, but remember, it is okay to set limits on what you can and cannot do.
- Hang in there! It won't be easy
DONT'S
- Don't try to solve her/his problems or help with the eating disorder on your own. Get help from others.
- Don't confront your friend with a group of people, in front of a group of people.
- Don't talk about weight, food, calories, or appearance. Do not make any comments on what she/he looks like.
- Don't try to force or encourage your friend to eat. Do not get into power struggles.
- Don't let her/his peculiarities dominate you or manipulate you.
- Don't gossip about her/him to others.
- Don't be scared to talk with her/him.
- Don't expect to be the perfect friend - Reach out for support when you need it.
- Don't expect your friend to be "cured" after treatment. Recovery can be a long process.
- Don't keep this a secret for your friend. Remember, her/his life may be in danger.
Definition:
Bulimia Nervosa: (binge-purge) is a life threatening eating disorder characterized by bingeing and purging. Symptoms include: repeated episodes of bingeing and purging; eating beyond the point of fullness and feeling out of control during a binge; purging after a binge (by means of self-induced vomiting, excessive use of diuretics and laxatives, fasting, diet pills, and/or excessive exercising); frequent dieting; and extreme concern with body weight and shape. As opposed to anorexia nervosa, a bulimic usually maintains a normal body weight with only a slight fluctuation. The individual will feel completely out of control and abnormal, and conger up feelings of depression, shame and self-deprecation. The bulimic cycle becomes habitual and highly addictive.
Signs and Symptoms:
How to help your friend:
Do's
- Increase your knowledge about eating disorders (request information packets, read books, attend seminars).
- Talk with the person about your concerns in a loving and supportive way. It is important to discuss these issues with honesty and respect.
- Talk with the person at an appropriate time and place - in private, free from distractions.
- Encourage the person to seek professional help as soon as possible. Suggest that she/he see someone who specializes in eating disorders (a physician, therapist or dietician).
- Be prepared that the person may deny that she/he has a problem. If so, and if she/he refuses to get help, it will be important to tell someone else about your concerns. If your friend is under 18, her/his parents need to know immediately.
- Listen with a nonjudgmental ear.
- Talk about things other than food, weight, and exercise.
- Be available when your friend needs someone, but remember, it is okay to set limits on what you can and cannot do.
- Hang in there! It won't be easy
DONT'S
- Don't try to solve her/his problems or help with the eating disorder on your own. Get help from others.
- Don't confront your friend with a group of people, in front of a group of people.
- Don't talk about weight, food, calories, or appearance. Do not make any comments on what she/he looks like.
- Don't try to force or encourage your friend to eat. Do not get into power struggles.
- Don't let her/his peculiarities dominate you or manipulate you.
- Don't gossip about her/him to others.
- Don't be scared to talk with her/him.
- Don't expect to be the perfect friend - Reach out for support when you need it.
- Don't expect your friend to be "cured" after treatment. Recovery can be a long process.
- Don't keep this a secret for your friend. Remember, her/his life may be in danger.
