The disease of excellent students: how to cope with an eating disorder

Bulimia is a neuropsychological disorder that is accompanied by eating disorders. The pathology is accompanied by periodic or frequent fluctuations in body weight. The disease is difficult to recognize, so patients can hide it for years.

Bulimia - what kind of disease?

Bulimia is a pathology in which the patient uncontrollably consumes food in excessive quantities. After eating, he has a desire to get rid of extra calories. For this purpose, he forcibly induces vomiting and abuses drugs with laxative effects. For this purpose, fasting or intense physical activity can be used.

The disease most often occurs in people aged 13-35 years. With bulimia, a person has a desire to eat high-calorie foods. After eating, the patient is relieved of it using various methods that negatively affect the state of health.

Classification of bulimia

With bulimia, a person focuses on food, calories, and weight. Depending on the characteristics of behavior, several types of disorders are distinguished:

Bulimia nervosa. The disease is diagnosed in people aged 25-30 years. Pathology occurs in human psychological disorders. The disease appears with excessive psychological stress, frequent depression, and constant stress. When failure occurs, a person begins to uncontrollably eat food to combat stress. The nervous form of the disease appears in the absence or dissatisfaction in personal life, non-acceptance of one’s own appearance, and low self-esteem.

Pubertal bulimia develops in adolescence. It appears if the child does not love himself and his body. With hormonal changes, teenagers become sensitive and vulnerable. To improve their appearance, they disrupt the process of eating. In the pubertal form of the disease, uncontrolled eating is observed, which alternates with prolonged fasting.

Experts identify primary bulimia, in which an uncontrollable desire to eat food appears. After this, the person goes on a strict diet and experiences constant hunger. If he cannot tolerate it, then uncontrollable overeating begins, followed by feelings of guilt and induction of vomiting, as well as other attempts at cleansing.

Bulimia is identified as a consequence of anorexia. This disease is accompanied by not accepting food and refusing to eat it. But, anorexics may experience bouts of overeating, after which they refuse to eat at all for a long time.

The course of bulimia has two ways. The first of them is that after overeating, a person tries to get rid of calories using enemas, laxatives, and vomiting. In the second variant of the course of the disease, the patient does not empty the stomach of food. Weight control is carried out using strict diets. But, patients often break down and begin to eat food uncontrollably again, which leads to a worsening of the situation.

The Importance of Group and Family Therapy

Patients with eating disorder often have two problems - strained relationships with family and lack of support. Loved ones often do not realize or understand the seriousness of the disease. Family psychotherapy will allow you to sort out conflicts, psychological trauma, help you understand the characteristics of the condition of a person diagnosed with bulimia, and teach you how to properly support your loved one.

Group classes are needed to understand problems and communicate with people with similar difficulties. This is an important stage for socialization, preparation for the challenges that arise when returning to a full life. Other patients can support, give strength to fight, and set a positive example.

Causes of bulimia

The disease develops under the influence of psychological and physiological factors. The second of these includes damage to the food center in the brain. Pathology is diagnosed in metabolic disorders - metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance. The causes of the disease are hormonal disorders - hypothalamic-pituitary insufficiency.

Most often, bulimia develops for psychological reasons. The disease is diagnosed in adolescents from wealthy families who have pretentious and ambitious family attitudes. Such children develop an inferiority complex and fear of misbehaving, which will adversely affect the honor and dignity of the family. The patients themselves claim that the problem of overeating appears due to a lack of volitional qualities. Bulimia is most often diagnosed in young women who are unhappy with their appearance.

Risk factors

Bulimia can develop under the influence of the following factors:

• if you have relatives or one relative with eating disorders;
• if the patient is exposed to stress or experiences emotional turmoil (in some cases, severe stress alone is enough);
• if the patient has high emotional sensitivity of an innate nature;
• if there are periods of emotional instability under the influence of external factors.

Young women and girls who want to create an ideal body are at risk. In men, the majority of pathologies develop due to diseases of internal organs or mental illnesses.

Symptoms of bulimia

The disease can be determined by physiological symptoms. When the disease appears, patients refuse to notice its signs and diligently hide them from others.

Behavioral signs

In case of pathology, patients are diagnosed with the appearance of corresponding symptoms. You can identify a bulemic person by his behavior. A person eats food in excessive quantities and chews it poorly. During the meal period, a person is in a hurry and therefore swallows it in pieces. After eating, the patient goes to the toilet to forcefully vomit. Patients become secretive and withdrawn. He shows signs of psychological disturbances.

Physiological signs

Patients often have fluctuations in body weight, which becomes noticeable to others. Patients complain of weakness and excessive fatigue even when performing usual activities. The pathological process is accompanied by a decrease in energy and a deterioration in general well-being.

Patients are often diagnosed with inflammatory processes in the pharynx and throat in the form of pharyngitis and tonsillitis. The disease is accompanied by disturbances in the functioning of the digestive system. In pathology, metabolic disorders can be diagnosed. If a person with bulimia regularly vomits, this can lead to dental diseases. A common symptom of the pathology is increased salivation, as the functioning of the salivary glands is disrupted. With bulimia, signs of dehydration appear. The pathology is accompanied by dermatitis and sagging skin.

Irresistible hunger...

“People suffering from bulimia,” says Gladyshev, “are gourmets and aesthetes. Food is a pleasure and a drug for them.” Sometimes they cannot even work normally, because during the working day their thoughts constantly return to how they will come home from work, cook something tasty and eat it. In the process of absorbing food, appetite control disappears, the person cannot stop
and eats everything he finds. And often the amount eaten exceeds the capabilities of an ordinary person. “At the same time, the person understands perfectly well that the next piece of food is already superfluous,” explains the psychologist, “but he cannot stop the hand reaching out to him.” Sometimes the desire to immediately eat something is so strong that a person can abandon the most important things and almost run to the refrigerator.

Complications of bulimia

In the absence of timely treatment of the disorder, patients are diagnosed with the development of serious complications. If the pathology continues for a long time, mumps may develop. Female representatives experience the development of gynecological disorders - the menstrual cycle is disrupted and amenorrhea develops. The pathology is accompanied by diseases of the digestive system:

• Flatulence;
• Enterimtami;
• Constipation;
• Flatulence.

With bulimia, patients develop chronic forms of gastritis. Intestinal peristalsis is disrupted in various ways during regular elimination of food. Some patients were diagnosed with an inflammatory process on the mucous membrane of the esophagus. The pathological process causes various diseases of the rectum. When the disorder occurs, the functioning of the liver and pancreas is impaired.

A long course of bulimia leads to disturbances in the functioning of the nervous system. The patients were diagnosed with the development of diabetes mellitus. A complication of the pathology is hypothyroidism. The disease can lead to adrenal insufficiency. Bulimia causes the development of metabolic syndrome. The appearance of disorders in water and electrolyte balance was observed in patients.

Bulimia leads to serious complications, so when the first signs appear, it should be treated immediately.

Physiology, psychology, sociology

Research shows that bulimia nervosa is about 55% heritable, meaning that the risks posed by inherent genetic vulnerabilities are only slightly greater than those posed by environmental influences such as growing up in a culture that values ​​low weight and thinness. On the topic: What are hormones? They also show that girls who are prone to perfectionism, have low self-esteem and problems with self-perception (especially their weight and figure), and have problems with mood and control of their own behavior are predisposed to the development of bulimia. Patients who have been sexually or physically abused, or whose family members are constantly in conflict with each other and criticize each other, are also at high risk of developing bulimia - and other eating disorders. The disease most often develops in youth - in teenagers and those who have just turned eighteen. Typically, the first episode of overeating is the result of stress, depression, extreme hunger, or a feeling of disgust with one's own weight and figure.

Treatment for bulimia

Therapy for the disease must be comprehensive, which will have a positive effect on the result. The patient is first recommended to undergo diagnostics to determine the cause of the pathology. The patient is advised to visit a psychiatrist who will interview him. This will allow the doctor to determine the psychological causes of the disorders.

If physiological causes of pathology are suspected, the use of laboratory and instrumental techniques is recommended. To determine the degree of water-salt imbalance, a biochemical blood test is recommended. Using ultrasound, abnormalities in the functioning of internal organs are determined.

How to treat bulimia?

Treatment of the disease should be aimed at eliminating its causes. For this purpose, various psychological methods are used. If disturbances in the functioning of internal organs are diagnosed, the patient undergoes drug treatment for the pathology and diet therapy is used.

The patient is recommended to take vitamins, which will help strengthen the immune system and restore the functioning of internal organs. If necessary, the patient may be prescribed antidepressants. In especially severe cases, patients are prescribed physiotherapeutic procedures.

Treatment methods for bulimia

Bulimia is a serious pathological process that requires the simultaneous use of several therapeutic methods:

• Working with a psychologist. With bulimia, people's psyche is disturbed. When consulting with a psychologist or psychotherapist, the specialist asks many leading questions with the help of which the cause of the disease is determined. After this, the psychologist develops a method for eliminating these causes. When self-esteem is low, methods of persuasion, collective opinion, etc. are used. The specialist conducts individual work with the patient. Thanks to group classes in which the patient listens to the stories of recovering patients, awareness of the danger of the disease comes. This technique allows the patient to realize that he needs treatment.
• Diet therapy. When treating a disease, the patient is strictly prohibited from following a strict diet. A nutritionist develops very tasty and healthy food for the patient, which does not negatively affect his appearance and health. The specialist teaches the person fractional nutrition and the rules of eating. This allows a person to learn to enjoy food.
• Drug therapy. If the cause of the disease is frequent depression and stressful situations, then the use of antidepressants is recommended. The drugs are used to treat the disease when complications occur. For digestive system disorders, probiotics, diuretics, etc. are prescribed. They can prescribe medications to combat disturbances in the functioning of the ENT organs and the cardiovascular system. The choice of a specific medicine and the development of a treatment regimen is carried out by a doctor. Previously, the patient must undergo a comprehensive diagnosis to determine the existing complications of the disease.

All treatment methods should be used in combination and selected individually for the patient, which will have a positive effect on its effectiveness.

Self-treatment of bulimia at home

In the initial stages of the disease, you can try to get rid of it yourself. If a person adheres to the recommendations of specialists, he will be able to eliminate the worsening of the disease. The patient is advised to adhere to the rules of a healthy lifestyle.

Patients, especially the fairer sex, need to learn to love their body and accept their appearance. In case of nervous strain, you should try not to eat food, especially sweet, salty, high-calorie foods. Consuming alcoholic beverages is strictly prohibited. If a person is experiencing depression or a stressful situation, he is recommended to seek help from a psychotherapist.

If a woman has problems with excess weight, then she should contact a nutritionist who will develop a special menu for her. Patients are strictly prohibited from using drugs for weight loss. Taking medications with diuretic and laxative effects is allowed only as prescribed by a doctor.

Self-treatment of bulimia requires the patient to go through several stages. At the very first of them, a person must assess his behavior and well-being, as well as determine whether he has a disease. Once the patient identifies the symptoms of bulimia, he needs to urgently begin treatment. Therapy for the disease can last a long time. For the patient to recover, he needs to stabilize his psycho-emotional state.

At certain stages of treatment, patients note an improvement in their condition and therefore believe that recovery has occurred. Some patients feel as if they will never recover. But, if a person has a strong desire, then he will overcome the disease.

Treatment of bulimia in the clinic

The difficulty of treating bulimia lies in the fact that most patients refuse to notice the symptoms and do not recognize the course of the disease in themselves. In this case, treatment of the pathology should be carried out in a specialized clinic. Experienced specialists will help a person understand the existing problem, so he will agree to undergo a course of treatment. In the clinic, therapy for the disease is carried out not only by a psychotherapist, but also by other specialists.

Highly effective psychological techniques are used to combat bulimia. You can overcome the disease by using:

• Breathing exercises. This technique enhances self-control and ensures patient peace of mind. Gymnastics is widely used to combat the disease in combination with other methods.
• Transactional analysis. The psychotherapist uses a technique that is based on three “I”s - child, adult, parent. The specialist determines the impact of these conditions on human behavior.
• Psychoanalysis. The specialist deeply analyzes childhood experiences and traumas against which the disease can develop. After this, a treatment regimen is developed aimed at eliminating this cause.
• Cognitive behavioral psychotherapy. This is a comprehensive method of treating pathology, which consists of conducting trainings and lectures, and keeping a diary. When using this technique, a person becomes aware of himself and evaluates behavior from the outside. The method is widely used if a person refuses to admit that he has a disease.

For bulimia, a psychotherapist works with the patient's relatives and friends. He is engaged in adjusting relationships in the family, which allows the patient to feel important. Parents and relatives must prove that they love the patient and provide him with all possible support. A therapist can teach them how to do this correctly.

Bulimics are their own nutritionists, as they know almost everything about the calorie content of food, the amount of protein, fat and carbohydrates consumed. But, with food addiction, nutritionists help them develop a very tasty menu that will not contribute to weight gain. Experts will talk about the advantages and disadvantages of various products and the need for a proper diet. By constantly working with a specialist, the patient develops the correct nutritional culture.

If bulimia has complications, then the clinic uses drug therapy to treat it. For serious psychological disorders, it is recommended to take pills whose action is aimed at reducing appetite:

• Afobazole;
• Sibutramine;
• Goldline;
• Meridia, etc.

The treatment regimen is developed only by the doctor, taking into account the individual characteristics of the human body. Self-administration of medications is strictly prohibited if you have a healthy psyche, as withdrawal syndrome will lead to a worsening of the condition.

If a person constantly induces vomiting, this leads to inflammation of the throat. To combat this complication, clinic specialists prescribe various sprays and tablets. For sore throat, it is recommended to use Tantum Verde, Grammidin, Ingalipt, Strepsils, Kamenton, etc. Prescription of drugs is done by an ENT doctor.

The clinic employs experienced gastroenterologists who treat diseases of the digestive system caused by bulimia. If a person has taken laxatives, then his withdrawal syndrome is accompanied by diarrhea or constipation. To combat them, it is recommended to take probiotics:

• Biphilia;
• Atcipola;
• Acylacta, etc.

For heartburn, sour belching and pain in the stomach, Almagel, Gastal, Gastrofarm are prescribed. If unpleasant symptoms do not go away after taking the drugs, then a detailed diagnosis of the gastrointestinal tract is carried out using ultrasound, probing and other instrumental techniques. This allows you to identify the disease and prescribe effective treatment.

The advantage of treating bulimia in a clinic is its comprehensive approach. Doctors of various specializations work here, which allows us to develop a therapeutic course aimed at eliminating the causes and symptoms of the disease.

Changing your relationship with food

After accepting the disorder, you will begin to change your eating habits under the supervision of a nutrition consultant. To combat the symptoms, drug treatment will be effective to reduce the feeling of hunger, restore hormonal levels and other body systems. To achieve the effect, you need strict control over your diet, taking into account calories, proteins, fats and carbohydrates.

Symptoms of bulimia may return over several years. Therefore, breakdowns are possible, you don’t need to blame yourself for them. It is important to analyze the causes of loss of control and exclude possible relapses. While eating, it is better to forget about TV or other distractions in order to eat food consciously and recognize the taste and smell of foods.

Prognosis for bulimia

The prognosis for pathology directly depends on the psycho-emotional state of the patient and the selection of treatment methods. If a patient undergoes a therapeutic course in a clinic under the supervision of highly qualified specialists, then he manages to get rid of the disease.

If the patient did not seek medical help in a timely manner or was prescribed ineffective treatment, the prognosis will be unfavorable. A person experiences the development of serious complications in the form of disturbances in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular system, and ENT organs. The most serious adverse effects include gastric rupture, cardiovascular failure, and internal bleeding. Unstable psycho-emotional state and constant mental depression often become causes of suicide.

Bulimia is a serious disease in which the patient's eating patterns are disrupted. This causes deviations in a person’s mental and physical health. If the disease is treated regularly and the patient’s psychological disorders are correctly corrected, this ensures a favorable prognosis. That is why it is recommended that when the first symptoms of disorders appear, you seek help from qualified specialists and undergo treatment in a clinic.

When to see a doctor

The effectiveness of treatment for this disease depends on how promptly the patient consults doctors. The disease is treated by a psychotherapist who can refer the patient for consultation with a psychiatrist and nutritionist.

You should seek medical help as soon as possible if:

• there is no feeling of satiety;
• periodically there are attacks of overeating, which the patient does not control;
• there is a fear of gaining excess weight;
• the patient is dissatisfied with the appearance;
• Eating alone is preferable;
• the patient is afraid to start eating because he will not be able to stop;
• after eating, a feeling of irritation and anger appears;
• behavior becomes impulsive.

JSC "Medicine" (academician Roitberg's clinic) in Moscow offers the services of qualified psychotherapists and psychiatrists in the field of treatment of bulimia. The clinic is located at the address: 2nd Tverskoy-Yamskaya lane, building 10, a 5-minute walk from the Moskovskaya metro station. Highly qualified psychotherapists and the use of modern treatment methods allow patients to be confident in the success of therapy.