Bulimia is often thought of as an over-eating disorder that causes people to gain massive amounts of weight, but that isn’t necessarily true. Bulimia nervosa is a lot easier to hide because there are excessive amounts of food being consumed, but those with this eating disorder are often binging and purging the food items that they eat. It is difficult for people to seek help with this disorder because of all the shame it produces. People feel ashamed for eating too much… and then they feel ashamed for purging the food afterward. Here are some more interesting facts about this eating disorder.
1. It’s all about impulse control.
The successful treatment of bulimia usually focuses around the impulse to eat. Many people with this disorder can eat thousands of calories in just one sitting. It’s a lot like the impulse items that a retail store puts next to the cashier. You’re tempted to purchase the item because it’s cheap and fulfills a certain need. That’s sort of how those with bulimia view food when they encounter it.
2. Teens are the most at risk of suffering from bulimia.
Up to 5% of teen girls may suffer from episodes of bulimia at any given time and part of that may be due to the physical changes that begin to occur as they reach puberty. Having visible weight gain during the body transformation process can be enough of a trigger to start the eating disorder. The risks are even greater when stress, physical or sexual abuse, or there is participation in events that focus on the image of a girl present.
3. It may take up to 14 years for someone to seek out the treatment they need.
The average age of someone who begins suffering from bulimia is 20. Although the disorder is most common between the ages of 18-59, adolescents may have a 5x greater risk of developing the eating disorder under specific circumstances. Many don’t seek out treatment because the disorder is so easy to hide. Hoarding food is one of the hallmark traits to watch for, but that isn’t an indicator that someone has this eating disorder. A full evaluation of all eating habits is required.
4. The shame of bulimia may bring people toward poor decisions.
Women especially are at risk of making decisions they normally wouldn’t make while suffering from this eating disorder. Depression is common with this eating disorder and there is a greater chance of alcohol, illicit drug, and tranquilizer abuse present as well. In order to find some control in life, women may choose to be sexually active in a way they normally wouldn’t be simply to have a boost of self-esteem.
5. Recovery from bulimia takes time.
About 80% of those who seek treatment for their eating disorder leave treatment too soon. It can take a minimum of 6 months of treatment to help someone be able to really turn the corner with their eating disorder. Peer support and regular counseling sessions are important parts of the recovery process, but so is having support from family and friends. There also needs to be some encouragement to follow a healthy eating and exercise plan.
Bulimia can be a difficult eating disorder, but it doesn’t have to destroy a life. With appropriate interventions, therapy, and consistent positive reinforcement, bulimia can be defeated.