Bulimia: one of the fastest growing neuroses in the Western world
If not stopped, starving, stuffing, and purging can lead to irreversible
physical damage and even
death.
Eating disorders can affect every cell, tissue, and organ in the body. The following is a partial list of the medical dangers associated with
anorexia, bulimia, and
binge eating disorder.
- Irregular heartbeat, cardiac arrest, death
- Kidney damage, death
- Liver damage (made worse by substance abuse), death
- Destruction of teeth, rupture of oesophagus, loss of muscle mass
- Disruption of menstrual cycle, infertility
- Weakened immune system
- Icy hands and feet
- Swollen glands in neck; stones in salivary duct. ‘Chipmunk cheeks.’
- Excess hair on face, arms, and body.
- Dry, blotchy skin that has an unhealthy grey or yellow cast
- Anaemia, malnutrition. Disruption of body’s fluid/mineral balance
- Fainting spells, sleep disruption, bad dreams, mental fuzziness
- Permanent loss of bone mass, fractures and lifelong problems
Binge eating disorder adds the following:
- Increased risk of cardiovascular disease
- Increased risk of diabetes
- Obesity can lead to arthritic damage to joints
It is a sad paradox that the person who develops an eating disorder often began with a diet, believing that
weight loss would lead to improved self-confidence, self-respect, and self-esteem. The cruel reality is that persistent under-eating, binge eating, and purging have the opposite effect. Eating disordered individuals typically struggle with one or more of the following complications:
- Depression that can lead to suicide
- Person feels out of control and helpless to do anything about problems.
- Anxiety, self-doubt
- Guilt and shame
- Hyper-vigilant. Suspects others of wanting to interfere.
- Terrified of discovery
- Obsessive thoughts and preoccupations
- Compulsive behaviours. Rituals dictate most activities
- Feels alienated and lonely. ‘I don’t fit in anywhere.’
- Feels hopeless. May give up and sink into fatalism or denial.
It used to be that when someone said they had been ‘bad’ the night before, we knew that we were talking about sex. And from the tone of their voice, which often bordered on the verge of bragging, we knew that whatever they had done, they were somewhat proud of
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