The Characteristics of Bulimia, an Eating Disorder
When most people hear of someone with an eating disorder, they automatically assume that the person has a problem with food. Eating disorders, however, are not a sign that a person has a problem with food, but rather eating disorders are actually only the symptoms of underlying problems in the personâ€TMs life. One of the most serious eating disorders is Bulimia Nervosa, or Bulimia. Bulimia is when a person binge eats then usually vomits to lose calories. It is a constant seemingly unending cycle of binging and purging to try to get rid of unwanted calories.
A binge may vary from person to person. For one a binge may be 1000-10000 calories, or for another a cookie may be a binge. A few obvious signs of bulimia is binge eating or eating in secret, visiting the bathroom every time after eating, fasting, mood swings, feelings of no self worth, avoidance of planned meals, fatigue, depression, and excessive exercise. A few less obvious signs are tooth decay, irregular heartbeats, muscle weakness, sore throat, broken blood vessels, swollen glands, weight fluctuations, and pill and substance abuse. A bulimic person usually doesnt realize that they have a potentially fatal disease. They may not see that this eating disorder not only affects their weight but also that there are physical complications. For instance tears in the esophagus, low blood pressure, edema or swelling, dehydration, kidney and liver damage, parotid gland enlargement, hair loss, electrolyte imbalances, anemias, pancreatitis, cardiac arrest, and even death. These physical symptoms often leave the person feeling depressed, lonely, anxious, self-doubting, or angry because they donâ€TMt understand whats happening to their bodies.
A bulimic person usually tries to put on a brave, strong face but they are constantly reaching out for support and approval from others. When people think about bulimia, they visualize a teenage girl making herself throw up. However 4% of college age women have bulimia. Also bulimia has been found in children as young as six and in people as old as seventy-six. 10% of all people with bulimia are male, but this percentage is increasing rapidly. About 50% of all the people who were once anorexic, developed bulimia or bulimic type patterns. Without treatment 20% of the people with eating disorders die, but 60% of the people who seek help recover. Over half of the teen population are, or think they should be on diets, but about 3% go too far by becoming bulimic or anorexic. Teen life is one of the most stressful times in a persona€TMs life. Teens feel that it is so important to fit in and to be liked.
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Many turn to dieting to make themselves look good in the eyes of others and to make themselves feel good. The family environment, childhood memories, and also society affect how a person views themselves and whether or not they become bulimic. Teens especially get the message at an early age that in order to be truly happy they must be thin. Pictures of super models, actors, and actresses with the body are everywhere for the world to see and people begin to think that that is how a person must look. Also there are constant commercials on TV for diet pills, drinks, and snack bars for the bulimic people on binges. People have forgotten that it doesnâ€TMt matter how you look but that its the inside that counts. There are many different ways that teens and other people, who become bulimic, try and lose weight. The person may use ipecac syrup to induce vomiting, laxatives, diuretics or water pills, and diet pills. All of these are extremely harmful to the body when used improperly. A person might look towards drug and or alcohol abuse and also, for some teens, shop lifting because they begin to act impulsively. Fortunately there are ways to fight this horrible disease. In your local phone book there are many toll free numbers that offer help 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
There are support groups and physiologists who offer one-on-one help. Friend and family are essential support in helping a person with bulimia. Dont let this serious eating disorder take away the simple pleasures of life. Pay attention to the many warning signs and seek help immediately.
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The Characteristics of Bulimia, an Eating Disorder. (2023, Feb 23). Retrieved from https://phdessay.com/the-characteristics-of-bulimia-an-eating-disorder/
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