Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 4: Realizing the Severity of Bulimia
• Method 2 of 4: Getting professional help
• Method 3 of 4: Controlling Symptoms
• Method 4 of 4: Developing a positive attitude towards your body
• Tips
• Warnings

Bulimia is a serious, sometimes life-threatening eating disorder. People who suffer from it can eat large amounts of food, and then get rid of it forcibly. If you are currently susceptible to bulimia, it is imperative that you seek professional help immediately. The longer you suffer from bulimia, the more harm you will do to your health, and the more difficult it will be to get rid of it. Learn about the steps to take to overcome bulimia and fully recover from this deadly eating disorder.

Steps

Method 1 of 4: Realizing the Severity of Bulimia

1. 1 Find out more about your illness. The only way to truly understand the seriousness of bulimia is to learn more about this eating disorder. Bulimia nervosa consists of eating large amounts of food (often over a short period of time) and then eliminating excess calories by vomiting or taking laxatives. There are two types of bulimia nervosa:
   • In the first type (cleansing bulimia), a person vomits or abuses laxatives, diuretics and enemas to compensate for overeating.
   • In the second type, other tactics are used to prevent weight gain, including restrictive diets, fasting, or vigorous exercise.
2. 2 Learn about risk factors. People with bulimia nervosa have certain personality, mindset, or biographies that make them prone to the disease. The risk of bulimia is higher in the following categories:
   • among women;
   • in adolescents and young people;
   • those with a family history of eating disorders;
   • those who follow the social ideal of harmony promoted by the mass media;
   • for those suffering from mental and emotional disorders, such as low self-esteem, dissatisfaction with their body, anxiety or chronic stress, as well as those who have experienced psychological trauma;
   • those who are under constant pressure from others, demanding perfection or achievement - athletes, dancers, models.
3. 3 Be able to identify the symptoms. Bulimic sufferers of either type have a unique set of symptoms. You yourself, family members, or close friends may notice some of the following signs and symptoms that are common with this disorder:
   • lack of self-control while eating;
   • the desire to hide their eating habits;
   • frequent transitions from overeating to starvation and vice versa;
   • the disappearance of food in the house;
   • absorption of large amounts of food with a constant body weight;
   • going to the restroom after meals in order to get rid of what has been eaten;
   • excessive exercise
   • taking laxatives and diuretics, diet pills, using enemas;
   • frequent fluctuations in body weight;
   • swollen "hamster" cheeks as a result of frequent vomiting;
   • overweight or normal weight
   • discoloration of tooth enamel due to exposure to gastric juice.
4. 4 Be aware that bulimia can be life-threatening. Bulimia nervosa can lead to many harmful consequences. Forced stomach cleansing dehydrates the body and disrupts electrolyte balance, which can ultimately lead to irregular heart rhythms, heart failure, and even death. Frequent vomiting can result in rupture of the esophagus.
   • Some bulimic people use ipecac syrup to induce vomiting. Accumulating in the body, this syrup can lead to cardiac arrest and death.
   • In addition to physiological dangers, people with bulimia also experience psychological problems, in particular a tendency to alcohol and drug addiction, as well as to suicide.

Method 2 of 4: Getting professional help

1. 1 Acknowledge that you need help. The first step towards curing bulimia is to acknowledge that you have serious problems and not be able to overcome them on your own. You can assume that you are okay if you are able to maintain a constant body weight and control yourself while eating. However, the only way to completely get rid of bulimia is to admit that you have an unhealthy attitude towards food and your body. You should take a sober look at things and want to get rid of this disorder.
2. 2 See your doctor. To start treatment, you should see a doctor. He will conduct a complete examination and assess the condition of your cardiovascular system, revealing how badly it has been affected by bulimia. It will also help you and your loved ones determine the steps you need to take to heal you.
3. 3 See an eating disorder specialist. Your therapist may not be able to treat bulimia on their own. After your initial examination, he or she will most likely refer you to an eating disorder specialist. This could be a psychotherapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist.
4. 4 Take an active part in the treatment. Effective bulimia treatment involves identifying and eliminating triggers, reducing stress, fostering the right attitude towards your body, and addressing the psychological and emotional problems underlying an eating disorder.
   • Research has shown that cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the most effective approaches to treating bulimia. In this therapy, the patient, with the help of a psychotherapist, identifies images and thoughts that lead to misbehavior and develops a healthy attitude towards food. Your best bet is to see a cognitive behavioral therapist who specializes in eating disorders.
5. 5 Consult with a nutritionist. Another step towards a cure for bulimia is to seek the help of a professional nutritionist. Your dietitian will determine how many calories and nutrients you need to consume each day and help you develop healthy eating habits.
6. 6 Sign up for a support group. People with mental disorders like bulimia often complain that there is no one around to understand them. If you are also experiencing this problem, join a local bulimia cure group or join an online community like this.
   • It will also be helpful for your parents or other loved ones to participate in the gatherings of people with bulimia and their families. These meetings can discuss various methods for successfully treating bulimia.

Method 3 of 4: Controlling Symptoms

1. 1 Share your story. Often times, people with eating disorders hide their problems from others. Try to break this vicious circle and share your thoughts, feelings and daily problems with someone. Find a good, understanding listener who can offer you help and psychological support and who may be someone to whom you will account for your progress towards recovery.
2. 2 Monitor your diet. During treatment, you should regularly visit a dietitian and make an independent effort to develop healthy eating habits. Learning to listen to your body, distinguishing physiological hunger from emotional hunger, such as loneliness or boredom, is an extremely important aspect of therapy.Your dietitian will also be able to recommend certain foods that will keep you satisfied and help you avoid overeating.
3. 3 Explore various strategies to deal with the situation. Think of your stress management skills as a toolbox or arsenal: the more you have, the more successfully you can fight bulimia. Brainstorm with your doctor and dietitian to come up with ideas for these strategies. Here are just a few ways:
   • to increase self-esteem, engage in any hobby or business that interests you;
   • when faced with the next trigger, call a friend;
   • Chat with friends from the support group (online community);
   • make a list of positive statements (affirmations) and read it out loud;
   • take a walk or play with your pet;
   • start keeping a gratitude journal;
   • read a book;
   • go for a massage;
   • exercise if your treatment plan allows it.
4. 4 Avoid triggers. As you begin treatment and participate in support group meetings, you will learn more about the things and phenomena that trigger you to overeat. Once you have identified these factors, avoid them as much as possible.
   • You may need to get rid of weights and magazines that advertise beautiful and fashionable lifestyles, stop visiting weight loss websites and forums, and spend less time with friends and family members who constantly criticize their bodies or are obsessed with a variety of diets.

Method 4 of 4: Developing a positive attitude towards your body

1. 1 Exercise to cheer you up. Regular physical activity is beneficial in many ways: it strengthens the immune system, improves thinking and concentration, reduces stress, and boosts self-esteem and mood. Some studies show that moderate exercise is beneficial for those who are being treated for eating disorders, and even prevents them from occurring in the future.
   • Before starting to play sports, consult your doctor. In the second, non-purifying type of bulimia, such activities may be undesirable if their goal is to get rid of previously consumed excess calories. Talk to your doctors about whether exercise is beneficial for you.
2. 2 Change your attitude towards nutrition and weight. The main cause of bulimia nervosa is wrong thoughts and ideas about your body and diet. To overcome bulimia, you need to change your mindset. Instead of indulging in negative thoughts, try to change your thinking - treat yourself kindly as you would treat a friend. By changing your mindset in the right direction, you will begin to relate to yourself with a bOgreat sympathy. The following errors are common in wrong thinking in eating disorders:
   • Jumping to unreasonable conclusions: “It was hard today; I will never be able to overcome this disorder. " Expecting the worst can negatively affect your efforts. Instead, tell yourself, “Today has been a tough day, but I made it through. I just have to move gradually, day by day. "
   • Black and white thinking: “Today I ate fast food. It won't work for me. " If you are not careful and think in black and white categories, dividing everything in existence into absolutely good and bad, this can easily lead to overeating. Instead, try saying to yourself, “I ate junk food today, but that's okay. I can occasionally allow myself to relax a little, and eat healthy food the rest of the time. For dinner I'll cook myself something light and healthy. "
   • Personalization: "My friends started to avoid me because I talk too much about healthy living."Trying to interpret the behavior of people and taking it personally at your own expense, you are doing wrong, including in relation to them. Your friends may just be too busy or don't want to interfere with you. If you miss them, tell them so.
   • Too broad generalizations: "I constantly need someone's help." Negative thinking attracts failure. After all, you are probably able to do a lot of things without outside help. Try it and you will see for yourself.
   • Constant thoughts that you should or could do something, but do not do or did not: "I need to be the best today." Such inflexible thinking is irrational and limited. Even if you will not be the first in one case or another, this does not detract from your merits.
3. 3 Reconsider your self-image without tying it to your body. You should give up the idea that your value as a person is related to your physical form, appearance or weight. Stop beating yourself up for not looking good enough and link your self-worth to other qualities.
   • Take a deeper look into yourself and find virtues that are not related to your body and appearance. List your good qualities. For example, you might say about yourself "I am smart," "I run fast," or "I am a good friend."
   • If nothing comes to your mind, ask your close friends or family members to help you. Ask them what non-appearance qualities they like about you.
4. 4 Treat yourself with empathy. For the past weeks, months, or even years, you have been too demanding and harsh on yourself. Try to feel love and compassion for yourself.
   • Give yourself a gift. Review your favorite movie or re-read your favorite book. Replace negative thoughts about yourself with positive ones. Take care of your body with a massage, beauty treatment or manicure. Wear clothing that is suitable and comfortable, without trying to hide anything underneath. Be kind to yourself and treat yourself like your best friend.

Tips

• Try not to overeat and heed the advice of health experts.
• Take good care of yourself and act in ways that calm your mind and body.

Warnings

• Bulimia has serious long-term consequences. Even people who are cured of bulimia are at high risk of developing throat and oral cavity cancers.