BULIMIA:It’s not a secret anymore By -Ahana.

Trigger Warning : Some topics discussed may be triggering for those with an eating disorder. Please read at your own risk.

“The more I denied my body the food it needed, the deeper my hunger became, and the greater the sense of control I felt being restored. One day the hunger finally overwhelmed me. I began to purge. This quickly developed into a dangerous cycle of binge eating and vomiting.”

• Bulimia sufferer

Eating disorders affect more than 70 million people globally and it is one of the most prevalent mental illnesses in today’s world.This illness affects people of every age, race, size, gender identity, sexual orientation and background. It is a very real mental disorder, one,which is often overlooked and misunderstood by many.

‘Bulimia nervosa’ or simply ‘bulimia’ is one of the more well known forms of this illness. It is characterized by frequent episodes of binge eating followed by extreme efforts to avoid gaining weight, often by vomiting, using laxatives, or exercising to excess. It is an illness regarded with shame and guilt due to which sufferers are often reluctant to seek help from others as a result.

The causes of bulimia are not strictly limited to social and psychological reasons. Genetics and biology also play a significant role in the development of the disorder. While it is most common among young women, bulimia can affect women and men of all ages. People with bulimia are more likely to come from families with a history of eating disorders, physical illness, and other mental health problems. Other illnesses, such as substance abuse, anxiety disorders and mood disorders are common in people with bulimia. Society and cultural ideals that assign value based on body weight and shape and the glorification of unrealistic body standards by the media also play a role in its development. Other triggers for bingeing can include stress,excessive dieting, poor body self-image, food and boredom. In some cases, traumatic events and environmental stress may be contributing factors.

It is important to understand that not all bulimics ‘purge’ i.e the act of physically eliminating the food from the body by throwing up or using laxatives, enemas, or diuretics. Instead, some engage in fasting or exercising behaviors to compensate for bingeing, often referred to as the ‘non-purging’ type. Still such behaviours can take a toll on your body and emotional well-being. It can cause damage to your digestive system and create chemical imbalances in the body that harm the functioning of major organs, including the heart. The most dangerous side effect of bulimia is dehydration due to purging. Vomiting, laxatives, and diuretics can cause electrolyte imbalances in the body, most commonly in the form of low potassium levels. Low potassium levels trigger a wide range of symptoms ranging from lethargy and cloudy thinking to irregular heartbeat and death. Negative self-esteem and problems with relationships as well as social functioning, severe tooth decay and gum disease, absent or irregular periods in females, anxiety, depression, personality disorders, misuse of alcohol or drugs, self-injury, suicidal thoughts are other complications associated with bulimia.

The severity of bulimia is determined by the number of times a week that you purge, usually at least once a week for at least three months. Since most people suffering from bulimia are of ‘normal’ weight, it can be hard to identify from the outside. As with other eating disorders, people around a person with bulimia will probably notice changes to their mood and feelings before seeing any physical change. They may also be preoccupied with being secretive around food, and feel self-conscious about eating around others. Low self-esteem, irritability and mood swings, feelings of guilt, shame, anxiety, especially after a binge, are also common signs.

However there is hope. Bulimia can be treated if provided with the necessary help and resources. Treatment usually begins with psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), family-based treatment (for children and adolescents) and other kinds of therapy. This can help to overcome unhelpful thinking patterns about weight and body image, as well as improve mood and anxiety. It is important to restore healthy eating habits, and seeing a dietician for nutritional advice is usually recommended. Some people with bulimia nervosa may be treated with an antidepressant to reduce their anxiety and improve their mood and self-control. . Though the road to recovery can be challenging, the 5-year clinical recovery rate has been reported at 55%!

Eating and body dysmorphic disorders are serious conditions, but they are treatable and perhaps even preventable. If cultural learning contributes to how we eat and how we want to look, then educating ourselves about these subjects and starting a conversation can help increase our acceptance of our own appearance as well as being more accepting of others’.