Raileanu Catalina – Grupa 3

Eating disorder - Bulimia

Eating disorders are more than just going on a diet to lose weight or trying to exercise every day. They represent extremes in eating behavior and ways of thinking about eating — the diet that never ends and gradually gets more restrictive, for example. Or the person who can't go out with friends because he or she thinks it's more important to go running to work off a snack eaten earlier.

Bulimia is similar to anorexia. With bulimia, people might binge eat (eat to excess) and then try to

compensate in extreme ways, such as making themselves throw up or exercising all the time, to

prevent weight gain. Over time, these steps can be dangerous — both physically and emotionally.

They can also lead to compulsive behaviors .

To have bulimia, a person must be binging and purging regularly, at least once a week for a couple of

months. Binge eating is different from going to a party and "pigging out" on pizza, then deciding to go

to the gym the next day and eat more healthfully

People with bulimia eat a large amount of food (often junk food) at once, usually in secret. Sometimes

they eat food that is not cooked or might be still frozen, or retrieve food from the trash. They typically

feel powerless to stop the eating and can only stop once they're too full to eat any more, or they may

have to go to extreme measures (like pouring salt all over a dessert to make it inedible) in order to get

themselves to stop eating. Most people with bulimia then purge by vomiting, but also may use

laxatives or excessive exercise.

Physical symptoms

Weight gain - weight can vary due to alternating bingeing and dieting

Nausea, bloating, abdominal pain

Dizziness

Dry and flaky skin

Difficulty concentrating

Sleeping problems

Dehydration

Tired, weak, run-down

Damage to teeth - sensitive, discoloured.

Raileanu Catalina – Grupa 3

Mouth sores

Swollen hands or feet

Sore throat, hoarse voice

Swollen cheeks

Long term:   (bulimia) anaemia, kidney damage, lack of menstrual periods, cardiac failure, loss of teeth, stomach ulcers, risk of rupture of stomach and oesophagus, heart problems

Long term: (binge eating) obesity and associated health problems, including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease

 

Emotions

Depression

Anxiety

Guilt

Shame

Low self-esteem

 

Behaviours

Over-eating, often in the evenings

Controlling food intake: try to stick to rigid diet, fail, then binge

Don't eat normal meals

Eat alone, perhaps at night, secretively

Attempts to control weight (bulimia): Vomiting after eating,  Disguising sound (run taps, flush toilet) and smell of vomiting (air-freshener, mints, perfume, mouthwash); Using laxatives, diet or diuretic pills;  Exercising too much to try to control weight gain, or crash diets

An example of normal, well balanced diet would be:

Breakfast – one cup of whole grain cereal with semi skimmed milk, a glass or

orange juice or a piece of fruit and a slice of toast with butter and jam.

Raileanu Catalina – Grupa 3

Snack – a banana and a medium latte

Lunch – a sandwich made in a baguette or with 2 slices of medium bread,

butter and any filling, a yoghurt and a small biscuit (like a kit kat or a

penguin)

Snack – a pack of crisps (like walkers or Doritos)

Dinner – fillet of meat or fish, cup of vegetables, one medium jacket potato,

with a teaspoon of butter on the potato, choice of sauce for the meat and

fish.

With a small piece of cake with a scoop of ice cream or a small portion of

custard.

Snack – one slice of toast with butter and jam with a small hot chocolate.

A few examples of good snacks are:

– A banana with a small latte

– Apple/orange/pear with 200ml carton of fresh juice.

– One chocolate bar

– One scone with jam

– A slice of toast with butter and jam.

– Cereal bar (not low calorie/fat)

– A small pot of yoghurt and a handful of grapes.

– 2 digestives/bourbons/ custard cream

– Small bowl of cereal (hand full of cereal with 150ml of semi skimmed milk)

 TreatementDoing things differently

Spend some time working out the times when you're most likely to binge - notice the thoughts that you often seem to have, the physical sensations, the emotions and how you react to them - then do something differently at those times

Do something that takes up your attention - mindful activity

Compromise - eat a small portion if you really can't resist

Get healthier food in, rather than sugar-rich foods

Drink 6 - 8 glasses of water each day

Raileanu Catalina – Grupa 3

Seek help - others will support you

Keep a food diary to assess your current intake, then...

Create a simple menu plan with a suitable health professional - and stick to it!  E.g. 3 meals and 3 snacks per day

Weigh yourself no more often than weekly

Exercise contract - again, agreed with a suitable health professional.  Stick to it! (Guide - 30 minutes of moderate exercise each day, include e.g. getting off the bus one stop early, taking stairs instead of lift)

Use medication appropriately and only as prescribed - avoid laxatives, diet pills, diuretics

Eat with trusted family and friends rather than isolate yourself

Don't rush food - sit down and eat slowly, enjoying the taste.   

Thinking differently

STOPP!  Pause, take a breath, don't react automatically Understanding links between thoughts, feelings Positive self-talk - encourage yourself, tell yourself:  I can do this, I am strong and

capable - find an affirmation that works for you (even if you don't believe it at first!).  Write it down and memorise it for when you need it. 

Be aware of those unhelpful thinking habits, including "compare and despair" -

comparing yourself to others which trigger upsetting thoughts.