Eating Disorders: Part 3. Bulimia

EATING DISORDERS ARE ONE OF THE MOST COMMON AND WIDESPREAD OF THE ADDICTIONS IN OUR SOCIETY TODAY AFFECTING ADULTS AND CHILDREN ALIKE. 

"Mirror Mirror on the wall who is the fattest one of all"……

If you can relate to the above saying, you are not alone.  Thousands of women and an increasing number of men look in the mirror and hate what they see.  Unfortunately this is also happening with a growing number of children, and in particular, teenagers.

Eating disorders (or food addiction), afflict millions of people, thousands of who will die from them, yearly. There is good news though; eating disorders can be successfully coached. You do not have to be a prisoner to this anymore.  Help is available.

What are Eating Disorders?

Boys, girls, men and women from all types of background and ethnic groups can suffer from eating disorders. Eating disorders are a way of coping with feelings that are making you unhappy or depressed. 

It may be difficult to face up to and talk about feelings like anger, sadness, guilt, loss or fear. An

eating disorder is a sign that you need help in coping with life, and sorting personal problems. In short, eating disorders are another form of addictive illness. With proper treatment, people can recover. Recovery takes a lot of time and hard work, but in the end it is all worth it. The first step is to acknowledge one has a problem and seek help immediately.

The definition of Eating Disorders or Food Addiction is: "the pathological relationship with food and/or eating behaviour that continues despite life damaging consequences".

The 4 main forms of eating disorders are Bulimia, Anorexia Nervosa, Compulsive Overeating, and Binge Eating Disorder.

B U L I M I A..

Bulimia is characterised by a cycle of binge eating followed by purging to try and rid the body of unwanted calories. A binge is  different for all individuals.

For one person a binge may range from 1000 to 10000 calories, for another, one cookie may be considered a binge. Purging methods usually involve vomiting and laxative abuse. Other forms of purging can involve excessive exercise, fasting, use of diuretics, diet pills and enemas.

Bulimics are usually people that do not feel secure about their own self worth. They usually strive for the approval of others. They tend to do whatever they can to please others, while hiding their own feelings. Food becomes their only source of comfort. Bulimia also serves as a function for blocking or letting out feelings, in particular feelings of shame. Unlike anorexics, bulimics do realise they have a problem and are more likely to seek help.

Signs and Symptoms

* Binge eating

* Secretive eating (food missing)

* Bathroom visits after eating

* Vomiting

* Laxative, diet pill or diuretic abuse

* Weight fluctuations 
   (usually with 10-15 lb range)

* Swollen glands

* Broken blood vessels

* Harsh exercise regimes

* Fasting

* Mood swings

* Depression

* Severe self-criticism                                                   

* Self-worth determined by weight 

* Fear of not being able to stop eating voluntarily   

* Self-deprecating thoughts following eating

* Fatigue

* Muscle weakness

* Tooth decay

* Irregular heartbeats

* Avoidance of restaurants, planned meals or social events

* Complains of sore throat

* Need for approval from others

Physical/Medical Complications

* Fatigue and lack of energy

* Amenorrhea(loss of menstruation) and irregular menstruation

* Dizziness

* Headaches

* Dehydration

* Constipation and diarrhoea

* Shortness of breath

* Irregular heartbeats

* Depression

* Tears of oesophagus

* Hair loss

* Stomach pain and bloating

* Erosion of teeth enamel

* Chronic sore throat

* Kidney and liver damage

* Parotid gland enlargement

* Electrolyte imbalances

* Cathartic colon (caused from laxative abuse)

* Enema (swelling of hands and feet)

* Low blood pressure

* Chest pains

* Development of peptic ulcers and pancreatitis 

   (inflammation of the pancreas)

* Gastric dilation and rupture

* Anemias

* Cardiac arrest and death

A professional Addiction Recovery Coach from  COACHING WITH SUBSTANCE can guide and support you deal with food addiction and save you further misery for you and your family.

FOR HELP TODAY: info@coachingwithsubstance.org.au   Confidentiality assured.

Ph 07 5606 6315 (7days) Webpage: www.coachingwithsubstance.org.au

We are Australia's leading award winning addiction treatment and rehab consultants for gambling, drugs, alcohol, sex, eating and internet addiction, along with eating behavioural disorders and co-dependency for Australasia and New Zealand.

Maria Pau is a 4x No. 1 best-selling author on the subjects of addiction and co-dependency and spiritual wellness. She is the Program Director of Coaching with Substance, the first of its kind in Australia as registered public benevolent institution, charity and not-for profit association that focuses on wellness using coaching principles of peak performance. We run a cutting edge holistic addiction treatment program and outpatient rehabilitation consultancy firm that ensures you are released from the shackles of addiction once and for all.

Primary care at CWS is personalised to treat each individual using programs that integrate mind, body and soul. CWS programs are enhanced by highly effective group coaching and therapeutic processes as well as individual coaching, spiritual insights, therapy and extensive aftercare assistance.

All clients are thoroughly assessed by a highly trained and experienced recovery coach, registered provisional psychologist, ordained Monk, mental health officer and certified naturopaths (including Ayurveda and Acupuncturist). Clients may also be referred for psychometric testing and assessment, if needed. International clients welcome.

We welcome enquiries from all English speaking people from Asia, Europe, Africa, India and South America.