Dual Diagnosis Articles

Treatment for Bulimia Nervosa Works!

Bulimia Nervosa is a eating disorder where the main characteristics are binge eating and various behaviors in order to prevent weight gain. Bulimics are caught in a devastating cycle referred to as binging and purging.

For individuals needing help for Bulimia Nervosa, the binge can be seen as a reward within itself and a way to cope with daily stresses and feelings. Bulimic binges usually consist of a larger than normal quantity of food, that typically are high in caloric intake. For individuals with Bulimia Nervosa, the binge eating usually occurs in secrecy. The types of food vary but are often sweet and/or high in fat content. Some binges are planned in advance by the Bulimic, but generally they are impulsive. Triggers for binges in Bulimia Nervosa include depression, relationship issues, boredom, constant diets and significant issues with body image.

Understanding Bulimia Nervosa

Binge eating in is quickly followed by feelings of failure, shame, a loss of control and creates low self-esteem. This makes it very difficult for the person to ask for help with Bulimia.

Individuals needing help with Bulimia follow their binge-eating behavior with behaviors to counteract the binge eating. The most common behavior for people needing help with bulimia is vomiting. The Bulimic usually induces vomiting directly following the binge. The act of purging may temporarily reduce the feeling of fullness and reduce their fear of weight gain from binge eating. Some individuals with Bulimia Nervosa even look forward to the purging behavior as they enjoy the feeling of release the purging behavior creates. Other activities that individuals needing help with Bulimia Nervosa use laxatives, diuretics, diet pills, ipecac, strict diets, fasts, insulin abuse, chew-spitting, and compulsive exercise.

Bulimics, like Anorexics, are also obsessively involved with their body shape and weight. An individual with Bulimia Nervosa will often obsessively check their body size and weight through frequent weighing, measuring, pinching, and viewing themselves in a mirror. For the Bulimic, the individual's self worth is directly tied to their body shape and weight.

Some of the common potential medical complications associated with Bulimia Nervosa include cardiac arrhythmias, esophageal tears, electrolyte disturbances, gastrointestinal problems, and dental problems. The medical complications of Bulimia Nervosa can be severe and like Anorexia, if left untreated can become life threatening.

Treatment of Bulimia

A bulimia treatment program can help you overcome the binge-purge cycle, you can't do it alone. The best bulimia treatment program is usually residential or inpatient and will include dual diagnosis treatment, a family program, aftercare and a variety of additional therapeutic activities. The staff providing treatment for bulimia will design individualized treatment plans which will focus on your special needs.

If laxatives and diet pills have become a way of life, a residential bulimia treatment center can help you break the cycle and provide the medical services you may require. It is easy to understand how many people requiring help for bulimia also suffer from drug addiction as a means to manage their weight.

Choose the best bulimia treatment for yourself by calling the National Bulimia Helpline at 1-800-542-4610. The bulimia helpline is toll free and staff is available 24/7. You can also try www.edtreatmentcenters.com for additional information on eating disorder treatment centers.

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