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Bulimia Nervosa E-mail

Unlike anorexia nervosa, a troubled teenager suffering from bulimia may be occupied by a persistent binge-purge cycle. A bulimic will engage in sessions of binge eating, followed by purging. Purging may be done in different ways. He/she may use self-induced vomiting as a form of purging or the abuse of laxatives and/or diuretics. Either way may be dangerous for a growing teen’s body. These binges may range from differing amounts of food, all depending on the individual sufferer’s mindset. Yet they are normally accomplished in secret.

Insecurity and problems with self-image/worth are character traits of bulimics. Oftentimes bulimics are people pleasers. They may tend to put others before themselves. But food is viewed as a comfort to them and this point may lead to excessive bingeing. Likened to anorexics, bulimics also have a distorted body image. The loss of control they experience while bingeing is regained as the victim purges.

If your teenager suffers from bulimia, he/she may be experience the following physical effects:

  • obvious weight changes in a small amount of time
  • amenorrhea (loss of menstrual period for 3 or more cycles)
  • constipation
  • teeth discoloration (caused by the stomach acids from induced vomiting)
  • bloating
  • heartburn
  • faintness
  • irregular heartbeat
  • puffiness around the eyes
  • bloodshot eyes from self-induced vomiting
  • wounds or calluses at back of the hand (from self-induced vomiting)
  • dehydration
  • hormonal imbalance
  • chronic sore throat
Parents must be wary because bulimia is an eating disorder which is kept hidden from the sight of others by its sufferers. If you notice that your troubled teen often bolts for the bathroom after eating sessions then this may be a sign of purging. Mood swings are often evident in bulimics because of the highs and lows the binge-purge cycle can put a sufferer through.

The following are characteristics of the disorder that your teen may manifest:

  • sessions of bingeing, followed by purging
  • laxative or diuretic abuse
  • preoccupation with food and body
  • perfectionism
  • strict exercise routines
  • mood swings
  • anxiety
  • self-harm or suicidal tendencies
  • weariness
  • insomnia
  • depression

Treatment of Bulimia nervosa


Hospitalization may be required in a number of cases due to the hazardous effects of laxative/diuretic abuse and self-induced vomiting on the body. But aside from addressing a sufferer’s physical wellness, psychotherapy must also be considered in order to treat the distorted self-image of a bulimic. Psychotherapy may aim to help a sufferer come to terms with how his/her viewpoints on food and body directly affect his/her actions. Both individual and group/family therapy has shown significant assistance in full treatment of the disorder.
 
The prescription of antidepressants (such as Prozac or Zoloft) to sufferers has also been observed to aid in treatment when a bulimic displays signs of depression as well. Check-ups with the dentist are also often a good idea because of the negative effects of a bulimic’s stomach acids on his/her teeth. Forming a solid support group for your teen can make his/her road to wellness an easier one to traverse.

 
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