Healing from Bulimia: Mental Health Approaches and Support
BY: Neighbors’ Consejo |
Bulimia nervosa is a debilitating disorder that affects millions, characterized by a cycle of binge eating and purging that can have devastating effects on both the body and mind. The journey to recovery from bulimia is not just about addressing physical health, but also about healing the mind and establishing healthy behavioral patterns. Through a combination of mental health interventions such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, family therapy, and support groups, individuals can find the support they need to overcome this disorder. This essay will delve into these approaches and their significance in the recovery process.
According to Mayo Clinic, the symptoms are:
- Living in fear of gaining weight and trying to lose weight in unhealthy ways.
- Repeatedly eating unusually large amounts of food in one sitting.
- Feeling loss of control during binge eating. You may feel like you can’t stop eating or can’t control what you eat.
- Vomiting on purpose or exercising to extremes after binge eating so that you don’t gain weight.
- Using medicines that make you urinate, called water pills or diuretics, or laxatives or enemas to pass stool when they’re not needed.
- Fasting, limiting calories or not eating certain foods between binges.
- Using dietary supplements or herbal products for weight loss. These products can be dangerous.
- Prioritizing body shape and weight over happiness.
- Letting your body shape and weight dictate your self worth.
- Having extreme mood swings.
What causes bulimia nervosa?
- You or a member of your family has a history of eating disorders, depression, alcohol or drug addiction.
- You have been criticized for your eating habits, body shape or weight.
- You are overly concerned with being slim, particularly if you also feel pressure from society or your job.
- You have anxiety, low self-esteem or an obsessive personality.
- You have experienced a stressful event or trauma, such as physical or sexual abuse.
“It’s not uncommon for people with bulimia to have other mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, or alcohol or drug misuse. You are also at higher risk for suicidal behavior and self-harm, such as cutting yourself. Exist different long-term effects of bulimia such as: irregular heartbeat; heart failure; tears in your esophagus or stomach; gastroparesis, in which your stomach takes too long to digest food; kidney failure.”
What about the treatment? The Society of Clinical Psychology, affirm, “Family-Based Treatment (FBT) for bulimia nervosa is adapted from FBT for anorexia nervosa and like its predecessor, is designed for adolescents. While there are many types of family therapy, FBT specifically refers to a treatment modality originally developed at the Maudsley Hospital in London, England. FBT for bulimia nervosa is an outpatient intervention typically conducted in 20 sessions over 6 months, although a shorter course is sufficient for some cases while additional sessions may be necessary for others.”
On the other side, according to The Bulimia Project, “for the treatment of bulimia nervosa, a course of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) will focus on helping people recognize the unhelpful thought patterns that lead to behaviors related to the condition, such as binge eating and inappropriate compensatory behavior, such as self-induced vomiting or excessive exercise.”
Is important to mention, “as treatment goes on, nutrition intervention can continue to help someone build back the foundations or their physical health, promote healthy weight gain when necessary, and learn how to manage foods that may trigger binging episodes.”
In summary, the path to recovery from bulimia nervosa is complex, involving both psychological and physical healing. Through therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Family-Based Treatment, and nutritional intervention, individuals can address the underlying issues that contribute to their disorder and work towards lasting recovery. While journey may be difficult, the combination of professional support and personal resilience offers hope for a life free from the grips of bulimia.
References:
Bulimia: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000341.htm.
«Bulimia Nervosa – Symptoms and Causes». Mayo Clinic, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bulimia/symptoms-causes/syc-20353615.
«Bulimia Nervosa: Symptoms, Causes & Prevention». Cleveland Clinic, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9795-bulimia-nervosa.
«Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Bulimia». The Bulimia Project, https://bulimia.com/bulimia-therapy-techniques/cbt/.
Contributors, WebMD Editorial. «Bulimia: Symptoms, Treatments, and Prevention». WebMD, https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/eating-disorders/bulimia-nervosa/mental-health-bulimia-nervosa.
Family-Based Treatment for Bulimia Nervosa | Society of Clinical Psychology https://div12.org/treatment/family-based-treatment-for-bulimia-nervosa/.
«Overview – Bulimia». Nhs.Uk, https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/bulimia/overview/.