Effects Of Bulimia On Women

Bulimia is a severe psychological disorder that affects 1.5 percent of women and .5 percent of men in the United States. This disorder consists of a binge and purge cycle where one will eat large amounts of food, and then attempt to get rid of what was just consumed. Some of the main reasons men and women suffer from this disorder is because they feel as though they have lost control, low self-esteem, stress, depression, and trauma. Bulimia is a serious eating disorder that can have negative consequences on an individual’s body both physically and mentally, but with the right help can be treated. Many think that bulimia affects only women. Although the majority of bulimics are women, 85-90 percent, bulimia affects men, women, and all cultures …show more content…
They typically have average weight and partake in the binge and purge cycle when they are alone. Although it may be difficult to identify signs and symptoms, if an individual knows what to look for it may be possible to identify some. Some signs and symptoms of Bulimia can be binge eating, immediate visits to the bathroom after meals, vomiting, miss use of laxatives and diuretics, and excessive exercise. Physical signs may include fluctuation in weight, broken blood vessels in eyes, muscle weakness, headaches, chest pain, cardiac arrest, calluses on knuckles, and many more. It can also lead to death if treatment does not occur. Mental signs may include, depression, always talking about weight, change in attitude, and withdraw from friends and family. Over all, this disorder has a negative effect on the body and the health of the …show more content…
It will most likely take a team of doctors, nutritionist, and psychologist. A nutritionist will advise on foods that will help create a nutritious diet. Nutritionist help advise with foods that an individual likes, and will help individuals feel good about their food choices while not overeating. A doctor can provide medications such as antidepressants to help reduce the urge to binge and purge. Psychotherapy is a very important part of treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the most common psychotherapy used. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on the importances of how an individual feel about ourselves and what an individual will do. It has been known to improve eating attitudes and changing the binge and purging behavior. Since many bulimic individuals have low self esteem about their appearance, a dentist may also be a part of this treatment. A dentist can help to not only improve their oral health, but also help them to achieve an appearance and smile they are proud