Common Signs of Bulimia
Bulimia is a progressive condition that has the potential to create serious health risks, including some that are life-threatening. A person with this condition eats in secret, often binging large amounts of food as they feel a loss of control. Then, they purge that food to remove the calories from their bodies. Done over and over again, this is damaging to the body. Knowing the signs of bulimia is critical if you suspect you have this condition. At Alina Lodge, we offer the eating disorder treatment you may need to overcome these challenges.
Common Signs of Bulimia
A person with bulimia is focused on their weight and body shape. They are often unable to see the health risks that come from an eating disorder like this. Rather, their focus is on the way eating makes them feel. Some of the most common signs of this condition include:
- Living with a strong fear of gaining weight
- Feeling a loss of control when binging, often as if you cannot stop eating or control what’s being consumed
- A focus on body shape and weight – nothing seems to matter more
- Repeatedly engaging in eating large amounts of food at a time
- Using some method to rid the body of the calories consumed, such as vomiting, using laxatives or diuretics, or excessive exercise
- Using supplements or extreme measures for weight loss
Often, a person with these symptoms knows they are not engaging in healthy behavior, but they do not feel as if they can change that. Many people judge themselves harshly for flaws that are not there and engage in this type of eating disorder to overcome those challenges.
How to Help a Loved One with Bulimia Symptoms
Many times, a person with bulimia is simply unable to see the damage they are doing. Losing weight tends to be something they want to see. Yet, for family members, these drastic measures can signal an emotional health disorder that needs immediate help before nutrition deficiencies become apparent. If your loved one engages in behavior like this, take action to support them.
That may mean listening without judging or telling them what to do. It may mean explaining what you see and why their actions are worrisome to you. Point out the symptoms you notice, such as not wanting to eat in front of others, sores or scars on their hands, changes in weight, and swelling in their face or feet. Show them that their actions may be hurting their health. Offer to help them by providing access to care and support in getting into treatment.
How Alina Lodge Offers Help for Bulimia Symptoms
As a comprehensive treatment center, the clinicians at Alina Lodge can help you or your loved one get the help and support needed for healing. We offer a comprehensive eating disorder therapy program that can help to stabilize health while also providing a supportive environment for working through mental health disorders. Some of our programs that may help include:
- Group therapy program
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy program
- Family therapy programs
- Residential treatment program
- Long term treatment programs
When you see the signs of bulimia, remember that without eating disorder treatment, this chronic condition may lead to numerous health risks. Yet, that doesn’t have to happen with treatment. The sooner you secure help, the better your chances are of overcoming this condition.
Discover Outstanding Support for Bulimia at Alina Lodge
Do you recognize the signs of bulimia in your life or your loved one? That’s a clear need to get support before health suffers from it. There are an outstanding number of resources to help you to achieve a healthy future at Alina Lodge, including our eating disorder treatment. You just have to take that first step to reach out to us to get started. Call 833.685.1700 or connect with our team online.
