Bulimia Nervosa Treatment

Sometimes it’s easy to spot when someone has bulimia nervosa, and other times it’s not, especially if the person you suspect has the condition isn’t ready to admit they have it. If you think someone you love in North Sydney might have an eating disorder, it can be a confusing time, and you might not know what to do or how to get them help. Don’t worry. Help is out there.

It’s important to remember that disordered eating isn’t really about food or weight. Usually, the disorder develops because of difficulty dealing with emotional issues and stress. Getting angry at your loved one or trying to force them to change won’t work. The best thing you can do is provide support and help them get treatment. Here are a few ways to spot bulimia in someone you love and find bulimia nervosa treatment in North Sydney.

What You Should Know About Bulimia

It’s true that eating disorders involve extreme eating behaviours like bingeing on food in secret, vomiting after eating, and rigid diets, but it’s more than that. Sufferers of bulimia nervosa have self-deprecating attitudes about their weight and have a negative body image. They seek food out for comfort and help in dealing with difficult emotions or traumatic memories. Eating causes a temporary euphoria, followed by purging that helps alleviate feelings of disgust and helplessness. Purging can involve vomiting, extreme exercise, fasting, or laxatives. Eventually, food and weight take over their life.

Not everyone who worries about their weight has an eating disorder, and the last thing you want to do is be accusatory. There are some key elements that you can look for if you’re concerned that someone you know should seek bulimia treatment in North Sydney.

Watch for Rigid Diets and Food Restriction

Someone who suffers from bulimia will usually count calories relentlessly, obsessively read food labels, and weigh their food. They’ll make up reasons to avoid meals, eat only tiny portions, and then binge in secret. Watch for food rituals like extreme cutting or chewing of food and only eating foods in a certain order. If you notice large quantities of food that go missing over a short period with no explanation, or empty food containers hidden away, these are red flags. Hoarding non-nutritional foods full of calories is common. A person with bulimia will eat regular portions when in a group but will eat enormous amounts when they’re alone.

Another sign of bulimia is if someone disappears directly after meals repeatedly or goes to the bathroom frequently while engaged in a meal. Often, they’ll run the shower or faucet to hide the sounds of purging, and they’ll cover up the smell with breath mints and mouthwash. Look for excessive use of diuretics or laxatives, intervals of fasting and intense exercise following meals, discoloured teeth, and recurrent episodes of a sore throat and bowel issues.

Bulimia Treatment in North Sydney is a Phone Call Away

The most important thing you can do if you suspect a loved one in North Sydney needs bulimia treatment is to act on your concerns. Help is available. Speak gently with your loved one and encourage them to call BodyMatters Australia today.