Common Bulimia Symptoms
People who suffer from bulimia are generally very secretive about their bingeing and purging, so others may not notice the signs and symptoms of this eating disorder. Some symptoms are so subtle that only a medical professional would notice them. For example, a person with bulimia may be underweight, overweight, or have a normal weight.
Some of the warning signs and symptoms of Bulimia include:
- Secrecy surrounding eating.
- Individuals with bulimia seek to allow time for bingeing and subsequent purging. Frequent trips to the bathroom after meals, signs of vomiting, and evidence of laxatives or diuretics may provide some indication of the disorder.
- Some may go to the kitchen after everyone else has gone to bed to binge, take unexpected walks or drives at night, or have excessive desire for privacy in the bedroom or bathroom.
- Strange or irregular eating behaviors such as avoidance of eating around others; skipping meals; taking very small portions when eating with others; drinking a lot of water or diet soda (to aide vomiting); taking very small bites, and chewing them excessively;
- Bingeing (eating abnormally large amounts of food) with no apparent change in weight.
- Excessive, rigid exercise regimen — However, it is often difficult to tell a serious athlete from an athlete with bulimia, because both may train excessively and not eat enough to compensate for the caloric usage.
- Inaccurate body image; they will often believe they weigh more than they really do.
- Scarred, discolered or callused finger joints or backs of the hands — Thrusting the fingers down the throat to induce vomiting may damage the outer surfaces of the hands.
- Problems with mouth and teeth like discolored and decalcified teeth, or swelling and bleeding of cheeks and gums.
- Gastrointestinal problems such as constipation and diarrhea.
- Sporadic or nonexistent menstrual periods (in females).
"Research tells us that anorexia nervosa is a brain disease with severe metabolic effects on the entire body. While the symptoms are behavioral, this illness has a biological core, with genetic components, changes in brain activity, and neural pathways currently under study. Most women with anorexia recover, usually following intensive psychological and medical care." Thomas R. Insel, MD Director of National Institute of Mental Health
An eating disorder is a disease rooted in the brain. While doctors have yet to find the magic bullet to cure eating disorders, the good news is that nearly 80 percent of patients seeking treatment do recover. And the earlier treatment is sought, the higher the chances of recovery. One of the critical components of treating an eating disorder is psychotherapy. Counseling can take place on an out-patient basis or at a live-in clinic, such as Avalon Hills Eating Disorder Treatment Center.
Inpatient treatment can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months and provides a healthy alternative to out-patient care for those seeking consistent structure and support. These facilities are designed to provide a safe haven during the recovery process and usually feature a staff with doctors, therapists, nurses, and dieticians. Recovery processes and philosophies differ but can include individual therapy, group therapy, medical evaluations, nutritional counseling, or art therapy. Other clinics emphasize spiritual well-being or involvement in projects. Most inpatient treatment facilities require patients to be medically stable before enrolling.
Whichever setting is chosen, the goal of therapy remains to restore a normal lifestyle. When searching for a counseling program for either yourself or a loved one, remember that you do have a choice. You employ the therapist or clinic, not the other way around, so be particular about which you choose. Here are just a few questions to consider posing to a potential therapist, as recommended by the National Eating Disorders Association:
- What is your experience and how long have you been treating eating disorders?
- How are you licensed What are your training credentials? Do you belong to the Academy for Eating Disorders (AED)? AED is a professional group that offers its members educational trainings every year. This doesn't prove that individuals are up-to-date, but it does increase the chances.
- What is your treatment style? Please note that there are many different types of treatment styles available. Different approaches to treatment may be more or less appropriate for you dependent upon your individual situation and needs.
- Do you or your facility have a quality improvement program in place or regularly assess the outcome of the treatment provided?
- Are you familiar with either the APA Guidelines or Britain's NICE Criteria for the treatment of eating disorders?
- What kind of evaluation process will be used in recommending a treatment plan?
- What kind of medical information do you need? Will I need a medical evaluation before entering the program?
- What is your appointment availability? Do you offer after-work or early morning appointments? How long do the appointments last? How often will we meet?
- How long will the treatment process take? When will we know it's time to stop treatment?
- Are you reimbursable by my insurance? What if I don't have insurance or mental health benefits under my health care plan? It is important for you to research your insurance coverage policy and what treatment alternatives are available in order for you and your treatment provider to design a treatment plan that suits your coverage.
- Ask the facility to send information brochures, treatment plans, treatment prices, etc. The more information the facility is able to send in writing, the better informed you will be.
An important part of selecting a counselor or clinic is to understand what type(s) of treatment they employ.
Individual psychotherapy: A standard treatment for anorexia, individual therapy teaches patients to identify concerns, solve problems, overcome fears, and test new skills. One of the most common methods of individual therapy is cognitive behavior therapy, which involves recognizing distorted thinking and learning to replace it with more realistic ideas.
- Beneficial for those who are beyond adolescence or who no longer live at home
Family therapy: Family therapy helps assess how the disorder has affected the family, helps family members cope, improves communication and decision-making skills, and develops practical strategies for overcoming the disorder.
- Beneficial for those who are young or still living at home
Marital therapy: Marital therapy seeks to build the marriage relationship and can provide a spouse with information on how to cope and be supportive. Marriage therapy also reinforces communication skills.
- Beneficial when the patient is married
Group therapy: Some groups focus on food or exercise while others may emphasize the deeper psychological roots of an eating disorder. Be sure to understand the group's intent beforehand. Communicating in a group setting can lead to important insights on the road to recovery.
