Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder, which includes symptoms of binge eating and then purging. It usually includes a low or skewed self-image, as well as some form of stress or anxiety disorder. Individuals who are affected by bulimia are generally overweight due to the binging, even though they purge. The disorder can affect oral, physical, and mental health over time, and should be treated as soon as it is diagnosed.
Something you may ask your doctor upon inspection of your symptoms, or the symptoms of somebody you know is, what causes severe bulimia and how is it treated. This is a good question to ask, because it will help you to better understand the reasons for the disease, and how you can best help those who are affected.
Bulimia and the Psyche:
Unfortunately, for most bulimia patients, the disorder begins with a particular mental state. It is a disorder that is caused by low self-esteem, restrictive dieting, anxiety, and sometimes social norms and peer pressure. Most bulimics have poor self-control and hope to achieve control by regulating the way that food enters and leaves their body.
During an episode, somebody with bulimia will ingest a large quantity of food, and then vomit it back up again. The outcome is fluctuating weight, poor dental hygiene, malformed fingernails due to the purging process, as well as burning on the inside of the esophagus due to stomach bile and acid.
Symptoms of Bulimia:
In order to better understand what causes severe bulimia and how is it treated, you must first realize the symptoms to watch out for. Symptoms associated with the disorder include hoarding food, secretive eating, eating more than one of each meal, excusing oneself to the washroom immediately following each meal, running water every time an individual uses the washroom to hide sounds of purging, nervousness around conversations of food or dieting, and constantly fluctuating weight.
Bulimia Treatment:
The treatment for bulimia is mostly therapeutic, although doctors may need to treat any damage to the lining of the stomach and throat, dental issues, and depression or anxiety. These underlying symptoms can be treated using medication and other procedures, but the main cause of bulimia will need to be treated through talk therapy.
Rehab:
Some bulimics will enter a rehabilitation program to cope with the urges associated with the disorder. Once a bulimic has formed a pattern it can be very difficult to break from it, and many will feel it is impossible to stop purging when the urge hits. Some individuals may even continue getting sick after eating without trying, due to their bodies becoming so accustomed to the action.
Bulimia Therapy:
Group therapy, one on one therapy, and sometimes family sessions are used to help patients build confidence, forget self-image issues, and learn proper nutrition. With proper sleep, a healthy diet, and regular exercise, those with bulimia are able to go on to live happy healthy lives once the urges to binge and purge have subsided.
For more information on what causes severe bulimia and how is it treated, speak to your doctor.