There Are Also Other Forms of Bulimia

Fasting and “exercise bulimia” are other, lesser known types of bulimia.  Did you know that women that suffer from bulimia could be practicing a mix of these types in order to perpetuate their binging and purging? 

When Exercise May Be Harmful

When a woman excessively participates in physical activities in order to burn fat reserves, food energy, and calories, she is known to be an “exercise bulimic”.  This form of exercising is harmful to her health and is far from healthy.  Exercise bulimics are inclined to obsess over exercising, even though they may be sick or injured.  They get very upset when they are unable to exercise and their perception of self-worth is defined through their body image and performance.

Exercise addiction may inflict women that are exercise bulimics.  This addiction may sometimes be a sign of obsessive compulsive disorder.  Counselors in The Victorian’s admissions staff may help if you feel that someone you love could be an exercise bulimic.

Going Too Long Without Eating

Nearly every person who has an eating disorder practices fasting.  For those suffering from bulimia, fasting can be seen as another form of purging.  This is because fasting results in the body burning calories from stored food energy.  Like excessive exercising, fasting is not healthy to regularly practice.

To mitigate appetite, sometimes fasting is done in conjunction with use of diet pills.  Illegal drugs, like the amphetamine crystal meth, are used in order to lower appetite while maintaining energy.  Whether legal or illegal, amphetamine usage leads to:

Additional Mental Health Issues

Those women and men that suffer with bulimia most likely also endure other mental health disorders, such as PTSD, anxiety, or depression.  Those that come to our facilities to have their eating disorders treated sometimes also have addiction to drugs or alcohol.

Our valuable experience in treating women that suffer from both eating disorders and other health issues like drug addictions or depression has proven that the best approach is to have the co-occurring disorders treated concurrently.  Of course, every woman who comes to us for treatment will have a personalized treatment program that is uniquely tailored to her specific needs, just as she deserves.

Seeking Help

Eating disorders affect a lot of people out there and the bad news is that they are very dangerous.  According to studies, between 1-9% of women in the US suffer from them.  Because they are so deadly, every suspected case of eating disorders should be closely reviewed.  However, properly discovering the existence of an eating disorder may be difficult due to the sufferer’s likelihood of hiding it.  They may be secretive of their behaviors due to shame and denial.  This may affect their entire family and loved ones.

You may be confused and feel that you are powerless against your (or someone you love’s) eating disorder, but once you seek help, the road to recovery will be much clearer.  Once you are determined to seek help and pick up that phone to have questions answered and concerns allayed, things will be much easier.  The team at The Victorian is always ready to answer your call, answer your questions, and assist you in your goal of recovery.