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LaurelCrown
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* I won't be taking any new chats on for a while guys, until further notice! *

7 Cups has given me the opportunity to learn so much from both fellow listeners and members, in regards of how to best provide support, through unconditional acceptance and compassion. I will be forever grateful for that. Dear members, send me a private message if you wish to chat with me. I do not specialize in any particular issue, however, I promise to do my very best to help with the knowledge and ability I have. I will always reply as soon as possible, and provide you with suitable resources if you feel you need more information to understand your situation. I have been told I am insightful, patient and supportive, so I hope I can be all these things for you! 
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Dealing with Bulimia - Healing the Mind, Body & Soul
Eating Disorder Support / by LaurelCrown
Last post
 June 4th, 2019
...See more iNTERNSHIP HONOURS PROJECT Dealing with Bulimia - Healing the Mind, Body & Soul Introduction to Bulimia Bulimia Nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by purging, through excessive indulgence in health-wise inappropriate behavior, aiming to rid the body of unwanted calories and avoid gaining weight, after a binge eating episode. A binge can constitute of any edible material according to and depending on the individual. In many cases it will include carbohydrate filled, starchy foods and sweets, while purging methods usually involve vomiting and laxative abuse. Other forms of purging can involve excessive exercise [https://www.mirror-mirror.org/excessive-exercise.htm], fasting, use of diuretics, diet pills. Individuals suffering of bulimia nervosa most often consume and purge in secret and discretion, in order to appear subtle and keep people from knowing of their actions.. This cycle is constant, consistent and continuous, propagating the development and evolution of physical and mental/emotional health issues (see below). It is based in a fear of gaining body weight and often distorted body image. The severity level of the disorder is determined by the number-frequency of binge-purge cycles that happen in a week. A bulimic can consume well over 2000 calories within an hour and then induce purging. (https://www.bulimia.com/topics/bulimia/) Bulimia is not always associated with weight loss, or is physically obvious as it is not necessary that the person is underweight. Their weight could range from underweight to overweight, including everything in between. However there are identifying, physical changes one can begin to observe in a sufferer, about which you can read below. While bulimia may seem most prevalent in women the truth is that, anyone could be vulnerable to this disorder and become subjected to it. It is correct however, to say that, according to the following statistics there are certain defined social groups that could be more prone to this. ‘About 5% of American women [https://www.eatingrecoverycenter.com/conditions/bulimia/facts-statistics] struggle with bulimia in their lifetimes and about 5% of adults in the United Kingdom [http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Eating-disorders/Pages/Introduction.aspx]. ‘Bulimia statistics tell us that the lifetime prevalence of bulimia nervosa in the United States is 1.5% in women and 0.5% in men. This translates to approximate 4.7 million females and 1.5 million males who will have their lives threatened by this potentially deadly disorder and an estimated 10-15% of people with bulimia are male. Homosexual and bisexual males are at higher risk of developing bulimia. Eating disorders among male athletes are on the rise, especially in sports where leanness is the preferred body type or cutting weight is expected. Quoted by: JD Ouelette in article ‘Statistics on Bulimia on website mirror-mirror.org. Signs and Symptoms range from being directly apparent, to more subtle and well hidden. The obvious include binge eating and vomiting/purging, however an individual suffering from the disorder will rarely allow for these symptoms to show in their behavior and will do everything to hide their condition, thus unless special attention is paid under awareness of the signs, its possible to miss the red flags, that somebody is experiencing this. Other direct behavioral and physical observable signs of bulimia nervosa can be: bathroom visits after eating, in order to purge, intense and fast weight fluctuations, tooth decay, swollen glands & bloated cheeks (side effect of the acids in the purged material), harsh exercise habits or sudden outbursts, complains of a sore throat, avoiding eating outside, fasting after a purge. Secretive acts include laxative/diet pill/diuretic abuse and secret eating and overeating. Observable mood signs can also be taken into account in addition, such as self- deprecating thoughts under severe self-criticism, often based in that their self-worth is determined by their weight, which could result in mood swings and depression, especially when their need for approval from others is not met as fully as would make them feel safe and comfortable, in order to not become triggered. Medical Complications can and will most likely include: irregular heartbeats, low blood pressure, loss of or irregular menstruation, mental and physical fatigue and lack of energy, dizziness and muscle fatigue, related to electrolyte imbalances, dehydration, constipation or diarrhea, esophagus damage, bloating, stomach aches, hair loss and hands/feet swelling. Furthermore kidney and liver damage, chest pains, pancreas inflammation, gastric dilation and rupture, anemia and cardiac arrest are effects of later stages of bulimia and clear indications of urgent need of professional involvement and help, considering the immediate risk of death. Emotional, Psychological & Biological Roots Bulimia often coexists with anxiety, depression, self-harm and addictive disorders such as substance abuse. Bulimic individuals could experience frequent anger [https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/anger] or sadness & could often have trouble regulating emotion. Intense need of control , based in underlying emotions of powerlessness, can be a core contributing factor to the development of the disorder. Bulimia is influenced by disrespect of the physical body, by the sufferer, which becomes apparent in their willingness to exhaust their body through the binge-purge cycles and can be viewed as a means of self-harm. Medical research and experiments, and MRI results, suggest that bingeing on food is possibly used to avoid through distraction unpleasant and judgmental thoughts about themselves, in particular after stressful moments. The bulimic brain can use food as a relieving escape from stress, which suggests that eating habits can reflect, as a physical representation, of a persons emotional state, especially when no other outlet of emotional tension-overwhelm and expression is found or allowed-permitted. ‘Sometimes bulimia nervosa follows the development of anorexia nervosa [https://www.mirror-mirror.org/anorexia.htm] when the body rebels against the consistent deprivation of food. Purging and other actions to prevent weight gain are ways for people with bulimia to feel more in control of their lives, bodies and to ease stress and anxiety. Life changes or stressful [https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/stress] & traumatic events, sexual abuse, as well as stressors, which can include but are not limited to starting a new job [https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/career], can trigger bulimia. Quoted in article ‘Bulimia Nervosa on site psychologytoday.com. Conclusions & Treatment Bulimia is a serious disorder. It is important that you pursue professional medical treatment if you suspect that you may be suffering from this eating disorder. Treatment involves, nutrition therapy, psychotherapy, nutritional counseling, support groups or medicines, according to the US Department of Health and Human Services [https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/bulimia-nervosa]. This ensures adequate support to break the binge-purge loop. While currently only 1 in 10 people with bulimia receive treatment, the risk of serious organ damage and mortality is high and should not be dismissed or ignored. The aim is to raise social awareness of this issue, thus making it easier to detect, approach, support and guide loved ones and ourselves to professional therapy should we notice the symptoms, and aid the sufferers to feel more comfortable to seek for help. With the relapse rate being between 30-50% it is important that the sufferers remain under the guidance and support of a professional until, and practice lifestyle habit changes that will ensure the healing is permanent, while finding different, healthy coping mechanisms, and checking in with their therapist regularly. Cognitive [https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/cognition]-behavioral therapy (CBT [https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapy-types/cognitive-behavioral-therapy-0]) is a type of psychotherapy [https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/therapy] based in the principle, that perceptions, through which thoughts manifest, influence behavior. The problem is treated through focusing on solutions and correcting distorted cognitions which form dysfunctional emotional patterns. Discussing my Personal Experience Bulimia Nervosa started for me at the age of 11, with compulsive binge eating. I had felt constantly pressured by family members to be careful of what I ate, to keep my weight under control and avoid sweets. This sort of pressuring began to make me feel repressed on the inside and prevented from fully exercising my freedom of choice. The more I tried to control myself the less I managed to because on some deeper level I didnt really want to stop overeating. It was a source of at least a temporary illusion of comfort and safety. However at the time I didnt know. Every time I overate, I decided I would vomit, because it seemed like such an easy way to receive the same pleasure from food but not gain weight. I was not aware of the health consequences this would have had on me and only gained awareness 4 years later, when I vomited blood, and realized something was wrong with what I had been doing. Until then nobody knew what I was doing as I was always extremely discrete. By that time I had stopped being concerned with weight loss as much, as I was rather skinny. Though I did still obsess over the number on the scale, my body measurements and how bloated I felt. I figured vomiting made me feel much more calm, it was an odd sort of ‘high and it gave me so much ease and comfort that I kept it up even after reading of the health consequences. This went on, and due to underlying stress and depression which had arose for different reasons in my life I would indulge into the cycle several times a day, sometimes even spending my whole afternoon after school doing nothing but bingeing and purging. By the time I was 15 it had become utterly unbearable. I was feeling total lack of control and following an event where I for the first time in my life fainted (after a binge-purge) it became clear to me that I had to take drastic measures. I, multiple times tried talking to the nutrition teacher at school, my friends, a professional dietician. I never was able to receive precisely the help that would make me switch out of it. There were times where I prevented myself from indulging into purging even after having eaten more than I needed, and managed to keep the habit up for a maximum of 2 months, but relapsed. I was able to follow no special diet or work with my feelings. I felt entirely frustrated and desperate. I began to fall into depression very heavily and I stopped responding to and working with my environment including my school, friends and family. It felt like I was seeking a constant escape from something that sat within me and I was too afraid of coming face to face with, so I kept running from it through indulging into addictions and attachments that would numb down the negative, pulsating sensation of anxiety within me. It was a loop where one negative internal event caused the other automatically. A year later and after not having been able to receive very much suitable support I stopped fighting against myself and I gave up. I allowed myself to feel the sadness and pain in its entirety and put my life on hold for some time until I had a fuller grasp on what was happening within me. It wasnt a very joyous time, the truth is. But at least to me it felt necessary, before I was able to get back on my feet again, this time with more love, acceptance and compassion for myself. It worked. A few months later I was feeling more positive, and had largely reduced my indulgence which, might not sound like the ideal goal but it was a huge improvement. I didnt feel I needed it that much anymore. I kept focusing on nourishing myself, nourishing all the goods inside of me and genuinely feeling it and taking good care of myself, emotionally and physically. As time went by, the indulgence into the cycle reduced and reduced and I entirely lifted off my shoulders the expectation to achieve it ultimately and from one day to the next. The sheer expectation had caused me immense anxiety in the past and only resulted in the reverse outcome to what I would have liked. Today, I have been solidly healthy for more than a year, and I am proud to admit that I have been taking good care of myself on the inside and outside. Through this journey I received my power back, to influence my own life. To own my decisions and not succumb to unhealthy attachments which would drain me. I would no longer allow myself to be walked over; I became kindly, compassionately, powerfully strong. And self-care, listening to my needs and desires, prioritizing them before I go on to supporting others, has been my greatest gift and lesson. After sharing my story and covering the potential psychological roots, physical and emotional effects of bulimia as well as the forms it can take, what it looks like, the treatment options and facts, lets have a discussion about the following questions. Discussion Questions What factors do you feel could have played a role in developing and influencing your Bulimia Nervosa Eating Disorder? How does Bulimia Nervosa affect your life? How has it affected your emotions? Have you found any personal coping mechanisms aside of any professional treatment, help or guidance you might be receiving? Reference – Citations https://www.eatingrecoverycenter.com/conditions/bulimia/facts-statistics https://www.mirror-mirror.org/bulimia/statistics-on-bulimia.htm https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3366171/ https://edition.cnn.com/2017/07/18/health/bulimia-brain-stress-food-study/index.html https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/cognitive-behavioral-therapy Resources for Further Reading https://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/information/bulimia https://bulimiaguide.org/ https://www.bulimia.com/ https://www.researchgate.net/publication/20125228_Bulimic_Vomiting_Alters_Pain_Tolerance_and_Mood
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