You may have heard such an unusual word as bulimia, but you did not pay much attention to it. But since now you are wondering, “bulimia, what is it,” then it is all about your curiosity, either you yourself or someone close to you have come across this disease.
Bulimia: what is it
Bulimia is an eating disorder in which a person consumes an excessive amount of food. Of course, everyone loves to eat, but people with bulimia do not eat because they are hungry, but just like that, not even experiencing this pleasure. A truly ill person is considered to be a person whose bouts of bulimia occur more than twice a week, and this continues for more than three months.
Bulimia attacks
Bulimia, what is it? As you already found out, this is a disease. This disease affects mainly adolescents, youth and women. It happens that patients with bulimia try to restrain themselves, but the need for food just begs and quickly wins. The desire to eat is very convincing and intrusive. Bulimia patients try to eat everything as quickly as possible and as much as possible. They can simply swallow whole pieces without chewing them at all. Bulimia, what is it? This desire to eat, and so restless that people lose control of themselves. The feeling of fullness occurs only when the stomach is maximally full and expanded. In this case, comes a vague feeling of satisfaction and peace, which, incidentally, passes rather quickly.
Causes
The cause of bulimia usually becomes depression or any other disorder of a psychological nature. It can also occur due to any acute conflicts, for example, domestic violence. Some consider it a habitual addiction similar to alcohol or drug addiction. In any case, the patient needs treatment and support.
How to cure bulimia
Bulimia is treated with medication, while the treatment itself can occur both in the hospital and on an outpatient basis. It is immediately worth noting that any antidepressants are only temporary effective, they are not able to prevent relapse, so they are accompanied by diet and constant psychological support. Psychological support is given special attention, and they have several directions:
- Psychotherapeutic groups. Thanks to such groups, a break with isolation occurs, because it is in loneliness that people with bulimia have seizures. In such groups, sick people feel quite comfortable, as they realize that there is a person next to them who, perhaps, is even worse than him. At such events, each patient tells his story, and specialists at this time can identify the exact cause of bulimia.
- Psychotherapy. During a personal visit to a psychotherapist, a specialist tries to eliminate the previously identified cause of bulimia.
- Escort. It is very important that after recovery, the patient sometimes visits a psychotherapist, as relapses are possible.