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If you or someone you love is suffering from Bulimia, it's vital to get educated and get help. Bulimia is a psychologically-based eating disorder that was formally diagnosed in the 1980's.
Although it is most prevalent in women and girls, Bulimia has also been known to effect men, particularly those whose line of work is such that personal body image can become an issue. If left untreated, Bulimia can result in malnourishment, damage to the oesophagus, mouth and teeth, as well as mental illnesses such as Depression and even cause suicide. So what exactly is Bulimia?
This illness often manifests in over-achievers who paradoxically suffer from low self-esteem or self worth issues. The illness is characterized by periods of frantic binge-eating, where the sufferer will eat huge quantities of food, followed by periods of purging, where the sufferer will attempt to "undo the damage done" by exercising inappropriate means of controlling their weight. Binges usually centre around foods that are perceived as 'comfort foods' which are usually sweet with smooth textures, like ice cream or cake. Sufferers will consume vast numbers of calories on a binge, sometimes up to ten times the recommended daily amount. Purging takes different forms for different sufferers, but methods may include self-induced vomiting, fasting, unnecessarily vigorous exercise, use of laxatives and diuretics, or enemas. Sufferers often experience a period of calmness after a binge which is soon replaced by self loathing that leads to the purge.
Individuals suffering from this illness will often be of normal weight, or even a bit overweight, making them hard to identify and diagnose. The compulsive behaviour is often done in private and sufferers usually deny having a problem. If you suspect this behaviour in a friend, or have fallen prey to it yourself, please seek medical help immediately. Your doctor can not only treat you, they can also help put you in touch with support groups who can help treat the self worth issues at the root of the illness.
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