Bulimia Is An Addictive Behaviour That Has Negative Consequences

B U L I M I A 

Most people have heard the expression binge and purge and recognise that it refers to bulimia nervosa. Whereas bulimia is characterised by this binge-purge cycle, it is so much more than eating and vomiting. True, a woman or adolescent with bulimia will consume huge quantities of food -- often to the point of extreme physical discomfort -- then induce vomiting. If vomiting is not an option, due to inability or general disgust of the behaviour, she may turn to excessive exercise or laxative abuse. 

But the question remains "why do people do this?" 

Bulimia, like most eating disorders, is not about FOOD, it's about FEELINGS. Bulimia is used by people as a way to cope with unpleasant emotions. Say a young woman goes away to university. She feels a tremendous amount of pressure to prove herself academically. This need to achieve is added to the normal stressors of making friends, fitting in, adjusting to dorm life. She is far from home and family support. These negative feelings of anxiety, stress, and perhaps depression, build up. Indeed, she is overwhelmed by these emotions. But she discovers that her stress diminishes markedly when eating. 

While looking at food, touching and tasting, she feels better ... so she eats. Not surprisingly, after ingesting so much food, she is consumed by guilt and concerned about weight gain ... so she purges it from her system. The act of vomiting causes her brain to release soothing endorphins into her bloodstream, which provides a sense of calm. When the stress builds again, she repeats the behavior; before she knows it, she is addicted to the bulimic behavior. 

The problem with bulimia is that it seems to work, at first. But the short-term social consequences and the long-term medical complications are immense  JUST LIKE ANY OTHER ADDICTIVE PROCESS. 

Bulimia is a very real and a very dangerous addictive illness. If you struggle with bulimia, keep in mind, there is nothing wrong with your feelings, there are simply healthier ways to deal with them. Consider recovery coaching so you can have a team of specialists to ensure bulimia is no longer a problem for you. 

IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU LOVE IS IN THE GRIPS OF THIS DISEASE, CALL US TODAY FOR IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE. PHONE 07 560 66315

 

Web: www.coachingwithsubstance.org.au

 

Email: info@coachingwithsubstance.org.au

ABOUT COACHING WITH SUBSTANCE (WINNER Best Not-for-Profit 2014)

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. Call us on 07 5606 6315 if you want to speak to an Addiction Specialist.

Our Founder, 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. She is currently completing her PhD on Recovery Coaching and is the first registered Recovery Coach in Australia.

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 Taoist 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.

Eating Disorders: Part 4. Binge Eating and Compulsive Overeating.

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 everyday 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), afflicts millions of people, thousands of which will die from them yearly. There is good news though; eating disorders can be successfully treated. 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 I N G E  E A T I N G  D I S O R D E R.

 …… is characterised by consuming large quantities of food in a very short period of time until the individual is uncomfortably full. Binge eating disorder is much like bulimia except the individuals do not use any form of purging (i.e. vomiting, laxatives, fasting, etc.) following a binge. Individuals usually feel out of control during a binge episode, followed by feelings of guilt and shame.

 Many individuals who suffer with binge eating disorder use food as a way to cope with or block out feelings and emotions they do not
 want to feel. Individuals can also use food as a way to numb themselves, to cope with daily life stressors, to provide comfort to themselves or fill a void

they feel within.

Signs and Symptoms

weight gain                                        
 

feeling out of control over eating

low self-esteem

depression

anxiety

experiences fluctuations in weight

loss of sexual desire

hiding food

feelings of guilt and shame

disgusted with self

going on many different diets

belief that life will be better if they lose weight

secretive eating patterns

avoidance of social situations where food will be present

suicidal thoughts

Physical/Medical Complications

obesity                             

menstrual irregularities

diabetes

high blood pressure

high cholesterol

osteoarthritis

decreased mobility

shortness of breath

heart disease

liver and kidney problems

cardiac arrest and/or death

C O M P U L S I V E  O V E R E A T I N G.

….is characterised by uncontrollable eating and consequent weight gain. Compulsive overeaters use food as a way to cope with stress, emotional conflicts and daily problems. The food can block out feelings and emotions. Compulsive overeaters usually feel out of control and are aware their eating

patterns are abnormal. Like bulimics, compulsive overeaters do recognise they have a problem.

 Compulsive overeating usually starts in early childhood when eating patterns are formed. Most people who become compulsive eaters are people who never learned the proper way to deal with stressful situations and used food instead as a way of coping.

 Fat can also serve as a protective function for them, especially in
 people that have been victims of sexual abuse. They sometimes feel
 that being overweight will keep others at a distance and make them
 less attractive. Unlike anorexia and bulimia, there is a high proportion of male overeaters.

The more weight that is gained, the harder they try to diet and dieting is usually what leads to the next binge, which can be followed by feelings of powerlessness, guilt, shame and failure. Dieting and bingeing can go on forever, if the emotional reasons for the bingeing are not dealt with.

In today's society, compulsive overeating is not yet taken seriously enough. Instead of being treated for the serious problem they have, they are instead directed to diet centres and health spas.

Signs and Symptoms

* Binge eating

* Fear of not being able to stop eating voluntarily

* Depression

* Self-deprecating thoughts following binges

* Withdrawing from activities because of embarrassment about weight

* Going on many different diets

* Eating little in public, while maintaining a high weight

* Believing they will be a better person when thin

* Feelings about self based on weight

* Social and professional failures attributed to weight

* Feeling tormented by eating habits

* Weight is focus of life

Physical/Medical Complications

* Weight gain

* Hypertension or fatigue

* Heart ailments

* Mobility problems

* Diabetes

* Arthritis

* Sciatica

* Varicose veins

* Hiatal hernia

* Embolism

* Sleep depravation

* Toxaemia during pregnancy

* High blood pressure

* Shortness of breath

* High Cholesterol levels

* Cardiac arrest and death

Our specially trained and experienced coaches at  COACHING WITH SUBSTANCE fully understand the recovery process and are very skilful in helping families and the addict break this cycle and help all players into a quality recovery. CALL US TODAY FOR HELP 07 5606 6315 

 COACHING WITH SUBSTANCE (CWS) ADDICTION RECOVERY COACHES.

Website: www.coachingwithsubstance.org.au   

Email: info@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.