If you are living with someone suffering from bulimia or know anyone fighting the disorder you will surely understand how scary it can be. Bulimia is one type of eating disorder which is characterized by binge eating ( too much eating). This follows some compensatory behaviors such as fasting, defensive vomiting, purging, use of laxatives or even over exercising. Binge eating in actually not related to hunger but it is normally caused due to conditions of stress, low self esteem and depression. Patients usually do everything to hide their binge eating and purging habits. If you are looking for symptoms of bulimia – you need to know about binge eating symptoms: 

Signs of binge eating - bulimia:

• No control on eating – Eating continuously till pain or discomfort is felt.
• Secrecy while eating – eating when everyone is asleep or when everyone is out. Desire to eat privately – in the kitchen or any other room.
• Eating too much but no change in weight.
• Food disappearing from home – empty wrappers found in garbage containers.
• Hiding food – especially junk food.

• Over eating or fasting – You find that normal meals are not eaten. The sufferer either eats too much or nothing at all.

Signs of purging:
• Rushing to bathroom just after meals.
• Water running for prolonged period – can be a way to hide sounds of vomit.
• Bathroom smells like vomit or smells fresh as it is often sprayed with fresheners. It might be done to remove the smell of vomit.
• Too much use of laxatives.
• Use of diet pills.
• Too much use of sauna to lose weight.
• Exercising just after eating…exercises which are of high intensity and calorie burners.

Physical symptoms:
• Puffy cheeks caused by vomit.
• Scars on hands and knuckles.
• Discoloring of teeth.
• Normal weight.

Treatment is possible for all bulimia patients. It might be a long process but taking steps towards recovery as early as possible is all that you have to do. There are numerous therapies available for bulimia:

Therapy to break the binge and purge cycle:
• This is the first bulimia treatment where the vicious cycle of bingeing and then purging is stopped and normalcy is tried to be restored as soon as possible.
• Eating habits are monitored.
• Situations which trigger binge eating are avoided.
• Food craving is controlled by eating regularly.
• Coping with stress.

Changing thought patterns:
• Treatment is focused to identify and change the various dysfunctional beliefs which are associated with weight, body shape and also diet.
• Self esteem is tried to improve.
• Self worth is tried to be realized.
• Eating attitudes are explored so that eating thought process is identified.

Solving emotional problems:
• Emotional problems are addressed.
• Therapy is mainly focused on anxiety and depression causes or relationship issues.

Family and friends of the person suffering from bulimia also have a major role in their recovery. Here are some things which they can do as a part of ‘family therapy’ to help the sufferer return to normal life.
• Be calm and never show your worry while interacting. Be happy and cheerful with the patient.
• Never talk about diet problems or eating disorder issues.
• Listen very attentively and let the sufferer speak.
• Be patient and never criticize or show your anger.
• You should not make any kind of negative comments about weight and diet.
• Set an example yourself – eat healthy food, eat food on time and exercise regularly.

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