Many of us eat food when we feel lonely, bored, or stressed. Overeating can be a sign of bulimia nervosa. Bulimia can be described as binging episodes followed by extreme attempts to lose weight. This is often done by vomiting, taking laxatives, or exercising excessively.
The vicious cycle of purging and binge eating can cause damage to your body and affect your emotional well-being. This can damage your digestive system and cause chemical imbalances that affect the function of major organs such as the heart. It can even cause death.
Bulimia is more common in young women than it is in men. Life can be a battle between the need to lose weight and the urge to binge eat. Although you don’t want to binge, you know that you will feel ashamed and guilty afterward. But you continue to give in. Panic sets in after the binge, and you resort to extreme measures to “undo” your excess weight, such as vomiting or taking laxatives.
No matter how stuck you are in this vicious circle, there is hope. You can end the cycle and learn how to manage your emotions more effectively.
Bulimics don’t need all purge
Bulimia does not necessarily mean purging. You can eliminate food by vomiting, laxatives or diuretics, and throwing up. Bulimia can also be caused by binging, fasting, excessive exercise, or crash diets.
Signs and symptoms of Bulimia
Bulimia is something that many people have experienced for some time. You shouldn’t feel ashamed of your inability to control your food intake. You won’t be able to tell your friends and family that you ate a whole box of doughnuts. You might shop in four different markets when buying food for a binge. However, your closest friends and family may sense something is wrong, despite their secret lives.
