How to Recover from Bulimia
A Guide to Beating Eating Disorders and Avoiding Relapse
Find out how to make recuperation from an eating disorder easier, smoother and much less stressful.
Individuals who think about food and eating constantly are terrified that once they start eating they won’t be able to stop and are sick or take laxatives after they have eaten are probably suffering from bulimia. It can take a lot of willpower and mental strength to make the decision to stop. Sadly, some people never do. Anyone who suspects that she is bulimic should seek help from a professional. However, there are a number of things that sufferers can do themselves to make the process easier.
The Damage
When caught in the throes of this eating disorder, it can be quite easy to ignore the negative physical effect that bulimia is having on the body. However, in order to recover, sufferers must accept the destructive reality of bulimia. They need to start seeing the disorder as the enemy rather than as a friend.
Some of the effects of bulimia are:
- Dehydration and deficiencies in minerals such as sodium and potassium
- Stomach ulcers
- Erosion of tooth enamel
- Broken blood vessels in the eyes
- Weight gain
- Heart damage
Stay Close to Loved Ones
Anorexia nervosa is often, mistakenly, seen as quite glamorous. This is largely due to the extensive numbers of celebrities, who are considered beautiful and popular figures, that have suffered from it. Bulimia, on the other hand, is still seen as a dark and embarrassing secret which should be hidden behind closed doors. Because of this view, sufferers from bulimia often feel cut off from friends and family as they don’t feel able to confide in them.
Even if recovering bulimics don’t feel quite ready to bare their soul to loved ones, being around friendly faces will keep them occupied and will take their mind off binging and purging.
Keep Busy
Many individuals recovering from bulimia have found that taking up a sport or a hobby has helped them tremendously. Becoming passionate about something other than the body and eating, whether it is swimming, knitting or joining a public speaking class, is great for self esteem and confidence. Time spent dedicated to a chosen hobby also means less time contemplating weight and food.
Throw Out the Scales
Bulimia sufferers are usually both terrified of and addicted to jumping onto the bathroom scales. Getting rid of the scales, preferably by putting them out with the trash, is a major step in the right direction. Even though bulimics usually find the absence of the scales tough for the first few days and weeks, things do get better. A useful tactic for bulimics in recovery, when faced with an urge to weigh themselves, is to go to a quiet place, away from the scales, until the feeling has passed.
Stick to ‘Safe’ Foods
In the early stages of recovery, it is important that bulimics have as little access to ‘triggering’ foods as possible. This does not have to be the case forever but during the vulnerable, early days of recuperation it is a necessity. ‘Trigger’ foods include anything that would instinctively be reached for during binges. This might include white bread, ice-cream, milk and cookies. These items should be removed from the house as soon as possible.
Seek Professional Help
It is highly recommended that professional help is sought when battling bulimia. Counseling sessions can help with the poor body image and low self-esteem that is usually at the root of this eating disorder. On the physical side of things, a doctor will be able to ascertain whether any long term damage has been caused as a result of the vomiting and binge eating. There are a number of help-lines that people who want to recover from bulimia can call to get information and advice. In the United States there is the National Eating Disorders Association’s toll-free hotline at 1-800-931-2237 and in the United Kingdom sufferers can call the Beating Eating Disorder helpline at 0845 634 1414.
Bulimics really have to want to beat their eating disorder for recovery to work. No one can force someone suffering from bulimia to give it up. The road is tough but the rewards are more than worth it. A life that is not dominated by food and the body is a wonderful one. Freedom, happiness and health are the rewards waiting for anyone determined to break free of their eating disorder.
Follow these links for more information on overcoming bulimia and spotting the illness in others.
