Eating disorders: how to get rid of anorexia and bulimia

Around the clock

Often, against the background of mental disorders, a person may experience various diseases associated with violations of correct behavior. One of these manifestations is bulimia. This disease is characterized by an eating disorder. A person ceases to control the amount of food he eats, after overeating he experiences a feeling of shame, and causes vomiting.

• What is bulimia?
• Causes
• Symptoms
• Consequences
• Types of bulimia
• Bulimia nervosa
• Eating bulimia
• Sleep bulimia
• Compulsive bulimia
• Bulimia in women
• Bulimia in teenagers
• Stages of bulimia
• Complications of bulimia
• Bulimic neurosis
• Problems with the gastrointestinal tract
• Skin diseases
• Swelling of the salivary glands
• Dental problems
• FAQ
• Treating bulimia yourself
• Treatment of bulimia in Moscow in
• Diagnosis of the disease
• Drug treatment
• Psychological help

Treatment prices:

Expand

We will select an individual treatment plan

Free consultation 8-800-200-27-23

Causes of the disease

Psychologists are convinced that bulimia is polymorphic. Its development is caused not only by psychological reasons in the form of stress, depression and inadequately low self-esteem, but also by:

• 
  Somatic

  pathology. It has been noted that gluttony may be a consequence of organic damage to certain parts of the brain (frontal lobe, food center). It can also be caused by hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus, and insulin resistance (decreased sensitivity of body tissues to the action of insulin).
• Mistakes made by parents in the process of raising a child . So, many mothers and fathers force their offspring to eat when they don’t want to. As a result, from an early age, children learn to overeat and not leave the table until the plate is empty.

It has been noticed that most often help with bulimia is needed by young girls who strive for model standards of appearance, do not like their body and do not have the right eating habits.

What is bulimia?

Bulimia can begin to develop in healthy people, but more often it is a complication of diseases of the central nervous system and metabolic disorders in the body. Eating disorder occurs due to a sharp increase in appetite. This is accompanied by a strong feeling of hunger, weakness and pain in the lower abdomen.

Causes

Bulimia, unlike anorexia, is quite difficult to detect. People suffering from bulimia maintain their weight and normal body condition between attacks, so outwardly they are no different from healthy people. Attacks of uncontrolled eating are a reaction to the occurrence of a stressful situation. The main reasons for the development of bulimia:

• A long stay in a state of severe stress, when a person cannot find a way out of the situation.
• Disruption of metabolic processes in the brain due to the prolonged action of poisons and toxins.
• Hereditary factor. Bulimia is more likely to affect people whose relatives also suffered from this disease.
• Self-doubt inherent in the process of growing up. Low self-esteem is often the cause of constant overeating.

Most often, bulimia affects mentally unstable individuals who are prone to impulsiveness.

Symptoms

The main clinical sign for this diagnosis is bouts of overeating. Appetite increases suddenly against the background of a feeling of emotional discomfort. In addition to the main symptom, patients with bulimia can be recognized by the following symptoms:

• Dehydration of the body. This occurs when a person vomits repeatedly or does not control laxative medications.
• Dental problems. Due to frequent vomiting, tooth enamel becomes thinner.
• Inflammatory processes in the esophagus.
• Digestive disorders.
• Menstrual cycle disorders in women.

In addition, those suffering from bulimia experience impaired functioning of the kidneys and liver. Against this background, a person may have swollen limbs, and a swollen face in the morning.

Consequences

An eating disorder negatively affects many systems in the body. The digestive, endocrine and nervous systems suffer, and problems arise in the oral cavity. Human skin suffers, the health of which is difficult to restore with treatment. Bulimia nervosa reduces the body's protective functions, therefore increasing the risk of infectious diseases. If timely treatment is not started, problems with the cardiovascular system begin.

Food solves problems

Food for humans is a strong antidepressant
, which triggers the release of pleasure hormones, due to which it relieves anxiety and helps to relax.
This is why uncontrolled eating most often begins against the background of developing depression or severe stress. A person begins to “seize”
his problems. But if initially the reason for “eating” is really serious, then food is subsequently used to combat any difficulties and inconveniences encountered along the way. Eating food relieves anxiety about the upcoming conversation, improves mood in case of bad weather or the need to get up too early tomorrow.

Types of bulimia

People who have emotional dysregulation cannot independently control their eating behavior. Bulimia can occur in milder forms, as well as severe ones with complications. Experts distinguish several types of eating disorders, each of which needs to be treated.

Bulimia nervosa

Bulimia refers to disorders that occur due to an unstable mental state. Women are especially affected by the disease. Complexes that stretch from childhood, dissatisfaction with appearance, long-term refusal of good nutrition in the desire to lose weight - all these are provoking factors. Only comprehensive work with a psychologist will help overcome the disease and stop overeating in order to maintain health.

Eating bulimia

Food addiction leads to serious consequences. Food bulimia can develop even in a healthy person who loses control of his diet. The feeling of hunger occurs due to a violation of the psychological state. By working on yourself with the help of specialists, you can get rid of food addiction forever.

Sleep bulimia

Many people spend an active day, eat right during the day and evening, but at night they break down and start eating everything. This happens due to a failure of the correct day and night regime. The fight against night trips to the refrigerator can be done independently; it is enough to normalize your sleep. If you can’t cope with sleep bulimia on your own, you should consult a specialist.

Find out treatment recommendations without leaving home for free

To select a treatment plan, you just need to leave a request, we will contact you to select the time and specialist you need

Submit your application

Compulsive bulimia

This type of disorder is an overeating disorder in which a person does not control body weight, that is, does not repent, and does not induce vomiting. Typically, patients with this type of bulimia are overweight. They may have complexes about their appearance and be shy, but they do nothing to lose weight.

Bulimia in women

Mental disorder caused by overeating occurs in women who try to lose weight and go on various diets. As a result, a breakdown occurs, and they begin to eat everything. Then they regret it and induce vomiting. Bulimia in women can also develop due to the loss of a loved one or surgery. Excess weight appears in women predisposed to obesity.

Bulimia in teenagers

Bulimia in children and adolescents develops due to improper upbringing. Typically, this disorder occurs if the child is rewarded or punished with food, and also if the child is not confident in himself or suffers from low self-esteem. Overeating in such cases becomes one of the ways to survive negative emotions. In general, children and adolescents rarely suffer from eating disorders.

... and getting rid of what you eat

Feelings of guilt due to lack of control over appetite and the desire to prevent weight gain leads to the fact that a bulimic sufferer tries to get rid of what he has eaten
as quickly as possible. He usually vomits himself immediately after eating or takes laxatives and diuretics. Those suffering from bulimia are the main clients of sellers of “miracle weight loss products.” After all, they need to find a remedy that will quickly relieve them of the consequences of uncontrolled food consumption.

Stages of bulimia

The clinical picture of eating disorders depends on the characteristics of each person’s body. Experts distinguish 4 main stages of the disease, which differ in the frequency of episodes of overeating:

• Initial . This stage is characterized by 1-2 attacks per week with induction of vomiting. An addiction to food and denial of the problem appear.
• Average . There comes a realization that eating behavior is not normal. The number of episodes of overeating increases to 4-7 times a week.
• Heavy . Bulimia completely consumes a person; he cannot control his appetite. Bouts of overeating now range from 8 to 13 times a week.
• Critical . The number of bouts of gluttony exceeds 14 times a week. A person is unable to stop on his own. If you don't take action, everything could end in disaster.

A patient with bulimia may die from somatic complications; the cause of death may be arrhythmia, convulsions, or bleeding in the esophagus.

Not only completeness

Constant overeating leads to overweight and even obesity, although excess weight is not the main sign of a person suffering from bulimia. However, among overweight women, every second one
, and a quarter of those who “binge” actually suffer from bulimia.
Women attach great importance to a good figure, and with bulimia, the fight against excess weight becomes important. But the main problem that arises during episodes of overeating is the fear of losing control
over the situation. In this case - over the amount of food eaten.

Complications of bulimia

With bulimia, disturbances in the functioning of all organs occur in the human body. Complications can be reversible or irreversible. The main complications are as follows:

• The functioning of the digestive system is disrupted. For this reason, serious diseases of the stomach and esophagus occur.
• The functioning of the heart and nervous system suffers. Sick people suffer from insomnia, biological rhythms are disrupted, which further weakens the psyche.
• Chronic dehydration leads to disruption of water and electrolyte balance. The body becomes deficient in potassium and calcium salts. Tachycardia begins, weakness and breathing problems appear.
• The functioning of the endocrine system is disrupted. Women begin to have problems with the thyroid gland and the menstrual cycle. This has a bad effect on reproductive function and increases the likelihood of infertility.

An eating disorder affects a person's appearance. Hair becomes brittle and dull, nails peel and break, and the skin takes on an unhealthy color.

Bulimic neurosis

A person suffering from bulimia already has a mental disorder. And after each bout of eating, he feels guilt and anxiety for what he has done. Thus, neurosis due to overeating is added to a mentally unstable state. With bulimia, a person hides from his family so that they do not catch him eating food. He is also embarrassed to eat in public, ashamed of his own appearance.

Problems with the gastrointestinal tract

With bulimia, a person constantly interferes with the normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. Due to numerous disorders, a person develops gastritis, stomach ulcers, constipation and bloating become more frequent. Long-term negative effects on the stomach can lead to the development of cancer.

Skin diseases

Frequent attacks of vomiting provoke dehydration. A constant lack of fluid is manifested by increased dryness of the skin. A person’s lips dry out and crack, and their hair suffers. Dry hair leads to thinning of its structure, and it begins to fall out. Also, water deficiency leads to brittle nails. The nail plate begins to peel and break.

Swelling of the salivary glands

Overeating is usually accompanied by enlargement of the parotid salivary glands. Often this increase is insignificant, but sometimes it is visible even visually. Severe inflammation may be accompanied by swelling, redness and fever. Purulent discharge is possible from the salivary duct. If medical assistance is not provided in time by opening the abscess, this can lead to blood poisoning.

Dental problems

A common symptom of bulimia is the destruction of tooth enamel. This occurs from exposure to vomit. Gastric juice contains hydrochloric acid, which destroys healthy tissue. Caries begins to develop, which requires treatment from a dentist. Ulcerative lesions appear in the oral cavity, as well as bad breath.

FAQ

We have compiled a database of frequently asked questions and answers to them. Read, maybe you will find the answer to your question

• Where does bulimia come from?
  A severe eating disorder usually develops if dietary restrictions were present during childhood or adolescence. The feeling of hunger during illness comes suddenly; after overeating, repentance usually sets in.
• Why is bulimia harmful?
  Frequent vomiting causes irritation of the esophagus and pharynx, and stomach acid gradually destroys teeth. Against this background, caries or periodontal disease develops, which leads to tooth loss. Vomiting also negatively affects the condition of the oral cavity; inflammatory processes and ulcers can form.
• What pills to take for bulimia?
  Bulimia neurotic requires complex treatment. Drug therapy consists of psychotropic drugs that help restore the functioning of the nervous system. Patients are prescribed antidepressants and sedative tablets.
• How to restore digestion after bulimia?
  You can restore the functioning of the digestive tract in a hospital hospital under the supervision of doctors. The patient is provided with fractional meals to avoid an episode of cleansing.
• What is the difference from anorexia?
  Unlike those with anorexia, people with bulimia are usually within the normal weight range or above. Anorexia is characterized by behavior that is aimed at losing weight. Bulimia is systematic attacks of uncontrolled overeating.

It can be cured

Bulimia is much easier to deal with than anorexia. As soon as a person manages to cope with the main problem that caused spontaneous overeating - depression
- food cravings become controlled.
Therefore, the first step
to getting rid of bulimia is to see a psychotherapist or psychiatrist.
He will prescribe treatment and, if necessary, prescribe appropriate medications. In the future, specialists teach the person self-control techniques
. They also help to find other ways to deal with stress and depression - for example, through physical activity or communication.

Literature:

• Gurova O.Yu. Metabolic and mental characteristics of obese patients: Author's abstract. dis. ...cand. honey. Sci. M., 2010..
• Fedorova I.I. Clinical, dynamic and psychotherapeutic aspects of eating disorders: Dis. Ph.D. honey. Sci. Tomsk, 2007.
• Dorozhevets A. N. Distortion of the image of the physical self in patients with obesity and anorexia nervosa: dissertation. - Moscow State University, 1986.
• Clinical Guide to Mental Disorders / Ed. D. Barlow. Translation from English, ed. Professor E.G. Eidemiller. — 3rd ed. - St. Petersburg: Peter, 2008. - 912 p. — ISBN 978-5-94723-046-8.

Myths about eating disorders

It is completely wrong to believe that the causes of these disorders are whims, spoiledness, bad manners, weakness of will, “no one cooked them something tasty,” “if only they could at least once try a real Kiev cutlet...”, “we need to throw out the scales, and that’s all,” and so on. Unfortunately, everything is not that simple. Not at all like that.

These disorders are believed to only occur in women. This is also not true. Take a look at the chart: men are much more dissatisfied with their figure than women!

Eating disorder can happen to a person who is poor or rich, educated or uneducated, raised in any family, traumatized or not. Anyone.

Some professional areas can provoke the development of bulimia or anorexia: ballet, running, figure skating, modeling, gymnastics, bodybuilding, etc. Activities in which success is measured based on body shape, shape, and weight.