3. Bulimia is…
“An illness in which a person binges on
food or has regular episodes of overeating
and feels a loss of control. The person then
uses different methods, such as vomiting or
abusing laxatives to prevent weight gain.”
- National Library of Medicine
4. What causes Bulimia?
Inherited Genes
Peer Pressure
Family Attitudes
Media Portrayal
Poor Self Esteem
Issues
5.
6. How to Recognize Bulimia:
It cannot be easily detected in victims, it is
more of a secretive disease.
But you can note unrealistic body image
standards, notice coloration and sores on
the fingers and mouth.
The person can have a large food intake
but no weight gain.
The person makes frequent bathroom
visits directly after eating.
7. Symptoms
Bloating & Irregular
Bowel Function
Signs of dehydration
Dry skin
Damaged teeth &
gums(due to over
exposure of acid
during purging)
Sores in the mouth &
throat
Constant dieting
Exercising excessively
Going to the
bathroom during or
immediately after
meals
Having a negative
body image
Depression/anxiety
8.
9. Treatment
Includes both medical and psychological
treatment
About 80% of bulimics who receive
treatment achieve remission within 3
months. However, relapse is common.
11. Types of Therapy
Psychotherapy - involves talking about your
bulimia and related issues with a mental
health provider. Psychotherapy is also known
as talk therapy, counseling or psychosocial
therapy. There's evidence that these types of
psychotherapy help improve symptoms of
bulimia:
Cognitive behavioral therapy - to help you
identify unhealthy, negative beliefs and
behaviors and replace them with healthy,
positive ones
12. Interpersonal psychotherapy, which
addresses difficulties in your close
relationships, helping to improve your
communication and problem-solving skills
Dialectical behavior therapy to help you learn
behavioral skills to tolerate stress, regulate
your emotions and improve your relationships
with others — all of which can reduce the
desire to binge eat
Family-based treatment to help parents
intervene to stop their teenager's unhealthy
eating behaviors, then to help the teen
regain control over his or her own eating, and
lastly to help the family deal with problems
the bulimia can have on the teen's
development and the family
13. Steps to Recovery
① Admit you have a problem.
② Talk to someone, you need support.
③ Stay away from people, places and
activities that trigger the temptation to
purge.
④ Seek professional help.
14. Medication
Antidepressants may help reduce the
symptoms of bulimia when used along
with psychotherapy. The only
antidepressant specifically approved by
the Food and Drug Administration to treat
bulimia is fluoxetine (Prozac), a type of
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor
(SSRI), which may help even if you're not
depressed.
- Mayo Clinic
