Bulimia
Characterized by overeating followed by self-induced vomiting or the use of laxatives and diuretics, bulimia nervosa usually requires professional care to break the addictive binge-purge cycle and address not just the behavior but the underlying causes.
Binge Eating
Marked by repeatedly consuming large amounts of food as a result of compulsion, not hunger, binge eating disorder may also involve eating faster than usual or eating until uncomfortably full. Its prevalence makes it the most common eating disorder today.
Common symptoms of anorexia include:
- Self-induced weight loss due to avoidance of certain foods, vomiting or purging, excessive exercise, and use of appetite suppressants or diuretics
- Body mass index consistently below 17.5
- Obsession with body image and weight, including irrational thinking and pervasive fears of becoming overweight
- Physical developmental issues such as delayed or halted puberty
SOURCE: NCBI
- Increased risk of cardiac arrest
- Incidents of coughing with eating or a history of aspiration pneumonia
- Slowed gastric emptying (which can cause nausea and bloating)
- Bradycardia (slow heart rate)
- Cardiac structure abnormalities
- Risk of lung collapse
- Anemia
- Suppressed immune response
- Osteoporosis
- Amenorrhea
- Hypoglycemia
Common symptoms of bulimia include:
- Extreme fear of weight gain
- The experience of losing control when bingeing or purging
- Compulsively exercising or fasting between binges
- Using laxatives, diuretics, or enemas when they are not needed
- An obsession with body image or shape
SOURCE: NCBI
- Persistent acid reflux
- Erosion of dentin and enamel on teeth
- Hoarse voice (damage to vocal cords)
- Cardiac arrhythmia
- Adverse gastrointestinal effects
- Risk of cathartic colon syndrome (from laxative abuse)
- Amenorrhea
- Hypoglycemia
Common symptoms of binge eating include:
- Rapidly consuming large amounts of food
- Eating even when you’re full
- Hiding or stockpiling food to eat later in secret
- Eating normally around others and then gorging when you’re alone
- Eating continuously throughout the day with no planned mealtimes
- Feeling stress or tension that is only relieved by eating
- Embarrassment over how much you’re eating
- Feeling numb while bingeing—like you’re not there or you’re on auto-pilot
- Unlike a person with bulimia, after a binge, you don’t regularly compensate for extra calories eaten by vomiting, using laxatives, or exercising excessively.
SOURCE: NCBI
- High blood pressure or high cholesterol
- Heart or gallbladder disease
- Heart palpitations
- Difficulty taking deep breaths
- Some types of cancer
- Menstrual problems
- Decreased mobility and exhaustion
- Sleep apnea and other sleep problems
- Dehydration
- Electrolyte imbalance
- Erosion of teeth
- Esophageal damage (such as tears)
- Persistent acid reflux
- Erosion of dentin and enamel on teeth
- Hoarse voice (damage to vocal cords)
- Cardiac arrhythmia
- Adverse gastrointestinal effects
- Risk of cathartic colon syndrome (from laxative abuse)
- Amenorrhea
- Hypoglycemia
We provide:
- coaching – subclinical body image issues, excessive exercise, mindful eating, boundaries & assertiveness
- flexible outpatient – clinical anxiety, depression or trauma
- treatment coordination with dietician & pediatrician or physician
We treat those whose BMI is >= 15.
If your BMI <= 14, please consult your pediatrician or physician immediately.
Book Resources:
- Help Your Teenager Beat an Eating Disorder by James Lock & Daniel le Grange
- Decoding Anorexia by Carrie Arnold
- Eating with Your Anorexic by Laura Collins
- Goodbye ED, Hello Me by Jenni Schaefer
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