Eating disorders are treatable with reputable bulimia treatment programs. The key is early intervention. Eating disorders cause serious psychological problems including depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. This is why receiving proper treatment is so important.
How Eating Disorders Are Treated
If you suffer from an eating disorder like bulimia, you’ll need an individual treatment plan. The plan outlines the underlying cause of the disorder. It will also include nutritional counseling, psychological counseling, and therapeutic methods that are right for you. You’ll receive educational guidance for understanding your eating disorder as well.
Your therapies in bulimia treatment include individual counseling, group therapy, and family therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is particularly helpful for bulimia recovery. CBT identifies patient behaviors and thoughts, replacing negative ones with healthier self-dialogue.
Dual diagnosis treatment for bulimia and mental illness can include medication. Depression is common in bulimia sufferers. Your doctor may prescribe antidepressants to treat the co-occurring condition. You may also need medication to treat health problems caused by your eating disorder.
Getting bulimia treatment is crucial. Eating disorders may lead to early death. The National Institute of Mental Health reports it is 18 times more likely to die early if you have an eating disorder. Unfortunately, these deaths happen quickly.
Health Problems Make Bulimia Treatment Urgent
Bulimia causes embarrassment and shame. But there is more to the disorder. It leads to many deadly health problems. These health problems are why you should seek eating disorder treatment immediately.
What Bulimia Does to the Inside of Your Body
Inside your body, bulimia causes dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. This quickly progresses once the disorder begins. Your body’s natural balance cannot return to normal without treatment. Taking laxatives and other dietary aids causes further decline.
Additionally, vomiting causes low nutrition levels. People with bulimia lack the vitamins and minerals they need to survive. Specifically, the body starts suffering a lack of calcium, potassium, and protein. Side effects of low nutrition include:
- Abdominal cramping and bloating
- Acid reflux, ulcers, and ruptured digestive organs
- Constipation and hemorrhoids
- Dizziness, weakness, and fatigue
- Kidney failure
- Swelling in hands and feet
When the body is malnourished, injury and disease are more likely. Recovery from illnesses and injuries may take much longer. In fact, some medications don’t work properly on bulimic individuals.
What Bulimia Does to the Outside of Your Body
Bulimia also affects appearance. Bad breath, chapped lips, sore throat, scratchy voice, mouth ulcers, swollen cheeks, tooth decay, hair loss, and weight gain afflict people with bulimia. Purging causes broken blood vessels in the eyes, so they may frequently appear bloodshot.
What Bulimia Does to Your Mental Health
The mental effects of bulimia are difficult to cope with. Depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and poor body image may spin out of control. In a recent study, a large number of eating disorder deaths were by suicide. Young adults with bulimia are more likely to commit suicide than other any other age group.
Getting the Urgent Treatment You Need
If you or someone you love suffer from bulimia, you urgently need help. When a loved one is in denial about their condition, intervention can help.
Steps to Recovery in Levittown, Pennsylvania provides eating disorder recovery programs. Multiple levels of care are available, including:
- Residential treatment
- Intensive outpatient
- Partial hospitalization
- Outpatient
- Aftercare
There are many health problems connected to bulimia. For many, death is looming. Call Steps to Recovery now at 267.719.8528 for the opportunity for a longer, healthier, and more fulfilling life.
