BULIMIA
You have worth. You deserve love and support.
And you are stronger than your struggles, and can recover!
What are the warning signs of bulimia nervosa?
Bulimia is a serious eating disorder, sometimes easily disguised. You may be affected by it in various ways, but it is defined by consistent periods of binge eating. This involves eating large amounts of food in a short amount of time.
Bulimia can be divided into purging and non-purging types. This depends on how you follow a period of binge eating. Self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives or diuretics, and misuse of weight-loss supplements are all common methods of purging. Excessive exercise and fasting are common methods of non-purging.
Besides those most common symptoms, bulimia can cause the following:
- Being preoccupied with your body shape and weight
- Fear of gaining weight
- Feeling ashamed after eating
Note, those symptoms could also be related to a different eating disorder. Several symptoms that are specific to bulimia include:
- Changing weight
- Being unable to control yourself when eating
- Damaged teeth and gums
- Swelling in the hands or feet, or enlarged glands in the neck or cheeks
- Regularly using the bathroom right after meals
Ready to take that first step towards living a happy, healthy life?
Bulimia treatment
If these behaviors and symptoms feel familiar to you, you should reach out to your doctor right away.
You may feel terrified to do so. The root of these behaviors could be emotions and fears that you have held onto for a long time. But you deserve to get the help you need in order to live a happy, healthy life.
You don’t need to go through this alone.
Medical attention is the first step to recovery.
Treatment will generally consist of meeting with your primary care doctor, a dietitian, and a therapist on a regular basis.
The goal of bulimia treatment is to break your pattern of binging and purging.
You ultimately want to reclaim a healthy relationship to food and your body.
Therapy for bulimia
Bulimia often starts with mental health issues. These need to be worked through before recovery can be achieved long-term.
A history of trauma, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and current environmental influences are all possible roots of bulimia. And all of these co-occurring mental health issues should be addressed in the safe space of therapy. You will reach the healthy mindset you deserve. But to do so, you will need to bravely address the various aspects of this disorder.
And we will be there to guide you through it on the road to recovery.
Bulimia recovery
You might be wondering if your body can ever heal from bulimia. And the answer is it can, with time and professional attention.
Recovery time is different for everyone, and the process can be anywhere from months to years long. Relapse is also possible. Both of those realities are part of why having a team of medical professionals behind you is vital to long-term recovery. Your doctor will help monitor you for any long-term health risks, including treating you for the short-term ones, as well as prescribe any medication you may need for co-occurring conditions like anxiety or depression. Your dietician will provide you with a customized and individualized eating plan. And your therapist will address any ongoing mental health issues.
We will support you in this process.
We are also aware of body image issues and eating disorders within the Black community specifically. These issues are present, and we know they are different for you. We are learning, and we want you to feel safe with us.
Bulimia is a scary thing to go through alone, and you don’t have to.
You can go on to live a happy, fulfilling, and healthy life. And we will help guide you every step of the way.