Bulimia Nervosa
If you have bulimia you will be aware that your eating is out of control, perhaps you are afraid that you won't be able to stop eating, and you may have an intense fear of becoming fat.
Having bulimia can feel like being stuck in a vicious cycle. First you feel the 'high' of a food binge, which is followed by the 'low' fear of becoming fat. You then feel the 'rush' of relief as you purge the food you have just eaten, and this is followed by intense feelings of guilt, shame and fear.
You may notice that your weight is in the normal to slightly overweight range, and you may feel depressed and have a low self-esteem. You may also feel the extra stress of keeping your Bulimia secret from people in your life, with a fear that people will find out and judge you.
Warning Signs of Bulimia Nervosa
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Evidence of binge eating, including disappearance of large amounts of food in short periods of time or the existence of wrappers and containers indicating the consumption of large amounts of food
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Evidence of purging behaviours, including frequent trips to the bathroom after meals, signs and/or smells of vomiting, presence of wrappers or packages of laxatives or diuretics
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Excessive, rigid exercise regimen – despite weather, fatigue, illness or injury – the need to 'burn off' calories taken in
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Unusual swelling of the cheeks or jaw area
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Calluses on the back of the hands and knuckles from self-induced vomiting
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Discolouration or staining of the teeth
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Creation of complex lifestyle schedules or rituals to make time for binge-and-purge sessions
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Withdrawal from usual friends and activities
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In general, behaviours and attitudes indicating that weight loss, dieting and control of food are becoming primary concerns
Bulimia Treatment
The focus of my bulimia treatment programme is to help you extinguish your purging behaviour and help you build new coping mechanisms to deal with life's ups and downs. By unearthing the triggers that cause you to binge eat, I will help you build new ways of coping with the emotions that these events bring, and help you develop new thinking styles to deal with life in a positive and empowering way.
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We will work on nutritional interventions to help balance your blood and brain chemistry
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I will show you how to break habits and create new behaviours in your life around food
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I will help you to name, feel and manage emotions without the need to use food to cut them off
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We will unearth thoughts, beliefs and assumptions that are keeping you stuck in your bulimia cycle, and I will help you create new ways of interpreting situations and feelings
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You will build greater levels of self-esteem and self-worth as you start to change the deep beliefs that shape your self-concept of who you are
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I will help you create a new relationship with your body image and help you update how you think other people see you
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I will help you balance the many areas of your life so that you reduce day-to-day stress, and are able to enjoy regular activity to help you manage your weight
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When you feel you have recovered from your bulimia, I will keep in touch, so you know that help is always nearby
