Katie Goode, M.A
Eating Disorder and Anxiety Therapist
(949) 395-7161
Eating Disorder and Anxiety Therapist
(949) 395-7161
About Bulimia Nervosa
About Bulimia Nervosa
Individuals with bulimia nervosa eat excessive quantities of food, then purge their bodies of the food and calories they fear by using laxatives, enemas, or diuretics, vomiting and/or exercising. Often acting in secrecy, they feel disgusted and ashamed as they binge, yet relieved of tension and negative emotions once their stomachs are empty again.
In certain ways, Bulimia is similar to Anorexia in that both are related to feelings and emotional issues. Both are focused on diet and weight. Unlike with anorexia, it is not immediately obvious when a person is struggling with bulimia. Their weight is not low and they often seem healthy. Usually, the only overt physical signs are swollen cheeks or scrapes on their fingers, the result of induced vomiting. Dentists are often the only ones to recognize the problem, due to damage to the teeth from repeated exposure to stomach acid.
It is not unusual for a person with bulimia to want to stop. They experience a large amount of guilt and a great deal of shame regarding their behaviors. Their sense is that they have a total loss of control in their lives. They feel a high level of stress, yet they cannot change.
Treatment for Bulimia
In certain ways, Bulimia is similar to Anorexia in that both are related to feelings and emotional issues. Both are focused on diet and weight. Unlike with anorexia, it is not immediately obvious when a person is struggling with bulimia. Their weight is not low and they often seem healthy. Usually, the only overt physical signs are swollen cheeks or scrapes on their fingers, the result of induced vomiting. Dentists are often the only ones to recognize the problem, due to damage to the teeth from repeated exposure to stomach acid.
It is not unusual for a person with bulimia to want to stop. They experience a large amount of guilt and a great deal of shame regarding their behaviors. Their sense is that they have a total loss of control in their lives. They feel a high level of stress, yet they cannot change.
Treatment for Bulimia
Although bulimia revolves around
food and eating, it is actually a psychiatric illness, not unlike
depression or anxiety. As such, professional care is usually required to
break the compulsive behaviors and addiction. Outpatient therapy is
usually the first approach to treatment. A patient can often make
substantial progress with the support of a good therapist, especially
one who specializes in treating eating disorders. For the best possible
outcome, a medical doctor and nutritionist or registered dietician
should also be part of the team.
Incorporating family or marital therapy into patient care may help prevent relapses by resolving interpersonal issues related to the eating disorder. Therapists can guide family members in understanding the patient's disorder and learning new techniques for coping with problems.
The sooner treatment starts, the better. The longer abnormal eating patterns continue, the more deeply ingrained they become and the more difficult they are to treat.
Bulima can severely impair people's functioning and health. But the prospects for long-term recovery are good for most people who seek help from a qualified therapist.
Regain control of your eating behaviors and your life.
If you or someone you know are experiencing symptoms of Bulimia, Call (949) 395-7161 today to make an appointment.
There is help for Bulimia.
What Others Are Saying...
"I felt so ashamed and guilty about my eating disorder before meeting Katie. She made me feel comfortable from the first meeting. I never thought it was possible to feel this good about myself."
Does treatment really work?
Yes. Most cases of eating disorder can be treated success-fully by appropriately trained health and mental health care professionals. But treatments do not work instantly. For many patients, treatment may need to be long-term.Incorporating family or marital therapy into patient care may help prevent relapses by resolving interpersonal issues related to the eating disorder. Therapists can guide family members in understanding the patient's disorder and learning new techniques for coping with problems.
The sooner treatment starts, the better. The longer abnormal eating patterns continue, the more deeply ingrained they become and the more difficult they are to treat.
Bulima can severely impair people's functioning and health. But the prospects for long-term recovery are good for most people who seek help from a qualified therapist.
Regain control of your eating behaviors and your life.
If you or someone you know are experiencing symptoms of Bulimia, Call (949) 395-7161 today to make an appointment.
There is help for Bulimia.
Symptoms of Bulimia
Symptoms of Bulimia are physical, biological and behavioral, and include:- recurring episodes of binge eating;
- feeling out of control over eating during periods of binge eating;
- frequent weighing, measuring, or body checking;
- refusal to eat with others (will only eat alone);
- anxiety about food or eating;
- attempts to diet or reduce food intake between binges;
- avoidance of specific foods that are likely to trigger a binge episode;
- food rituals (cut it into tiny pieces, eat it in special ways, eat it on special dishes with special utensils, make patterns on my plate with it, secretly throw it away, give it to the dog, hide it, spit it out before I swallow, etc.); and
- self-induced vomiting or use of laxatives, diuretics, or enemas.
- Increase of dental complaints (i.e., cavities, loss of enamel, chipped teeth.
- Swollen glands ("chipmunk cheeks")
- Evidence of increased hair loss; more hair on the pillow or in brushes. Hair looks thinner and drier.
- Headaches
- Sore Throat
- Heart Palpitations
- Complaints of dizziness.
- Fainting
- Calluses or scars on hands or fingers
What Others Are Saying...
"I felt so ashamed and guilty about my eating disorder before meeting Katie. She made me feel comfortable from the first meeting. I never thought it was possible to feel this good about myself."