Bulimia Treatment
Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder that has a detrimental effect on all aspects of someone’s life and wellbeing. Here at Eden, we have developed specialized bulimia disorder therapies that support women’s road to recovery within our safe and private bulimia treatment center in Las Vegas.
To find out more about our bulimia treatment plans, please take a look at the below information:
What is bulimia nervosa?
Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder that has a devasting impact on the human body and a person’s relationship with food. A very serious and potentially life-threatening illness, those with bulimia often consume large quantities of food in secret and then purge by either vomiting or taking laxatives to get rid of calories and prevent weight gain. Some will also undertake extreme exercise regimes, abuse weight loss supplements and fast for long periods, all in a bid to control their body and their weight.
Bulimia nervosa is not just a case of overeating on the odd occasion. It is a chronic and compulsive issue that requires professional help and support to overcome, which we offer here at our women’s bulimia treatment center.
Bulimia nervosa does not discriminate and can affect people of any age, ethnicity or social background. However, as is the case with most eating disorders, bulimia is particularly prevalent in women aged between 18-25.
What are the common signs of bulimia nervosa?
Whether you think that you may have bulimia yourself or you are concerned about a loved one, being able to recognize the signs and symptoms of this disorder can mean the difference between life and death.
The most common signs that someone has bulimia include:
- Extreme fear of gaining weight
- Eating excessive amounts in a short period and purging afterwards
- Abusing laxatives
- Hiding food to binge eat in secret
- A preoccupation with body shape and weight
- Extreme exercise regimes
- Defensive behavior and mood swings
- Anxiety about eating with others
- Fasting, restricting calories, or avoiding specific foods between binges
- Abusing dietary supplements or herbal products excessively for weight loss
The severity of a person’s bulimia is usually determined by the number of times a week that they purge. At our bulimia treatment center, we help you or your loved one take the first steps in recovery by identifying the extent of the problem and planning therapies and treatments accordingly.
How can you tell if someone might need bulimia nervosa treatment?
Identifying bulimia nervosa can be challenging, as sufferers will go to extreme lengths to hide their disorder from those around them. This is partly due to feelings of shame and guilt surrounding their unhealthy food-related behaviors and also because they do not want to be forced to confront and change their relationship with food.
People living with bulimia typically struggle with their emotions and can allow negative thoughts to completely dominate their lives, leading to unmanageable stress that results in a vicious cycle of binging and purging.
Further signs that a loved one may need bulimia nervosa treatment include:
- Depression and anxiety, especially surrounding food and appearance
- Vocalizing negative thoughts and feelings about their body or self-esteem
- Binge eating or compulsive spending on food
- Hiding or hoarding food in the house
- Moody and defensive behavior when confronted about their actions
Are there any other signs of bulimia?
You may also notice physical changes in your loved one that could indicate they need to seek the help of a bulimia treatment center. These include:
- Fainting and dizziness
- Tooth damage and swollen cheeks caused by purging
- Dehydration
- Fatigue
- Dry skin
- Change in voice due to purging
- Muscle cramps
What is an effective treatment for bulimia nervosa?
Within our bulimia treatment center, we offer a wide range of therapies for bulimia nervosa that are carried out by our team of doctors, nurses, therapists, dieticians and psychiatrists. We understand that every woman’s journey to recovery is different, and that is why we create bespoke treatment plans based on each individual’s needs.
During treatment for bulimia nervosa, medication may be prescribed, such as an anti-depressant. This can help to control some symptoms, allowing us to help address your loved one’s underlying issues with food and their body.
Our inpatient treatment also offers a supportive environment that helps improve patients’ relationship with food and tackle compulsive behaviors.
Bulimia treatment should include the recovery of both the body and the mind, enabling women to fully overcome their physical compulsions to binge and purge, as well as learn how to cope with negative emotions.
Here at Eden, our bulimia treatment center offers a range of specific treatment strategies to support the recovery process, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy. Both of which we have used with wide success to treat bulimia nervosa for many years.
Can your body recover well after bulimia treatment?
Bulimia nervosa is very serious and, if left untreated, can have severe health consequences including heart failure, kidney damage and a ruptured esophagus. It can also have long-lasting effects on a person’s mental health.
However, the human body and mind is remarkable in its ability to heal itself, and with the help of our bulimia treatment center, women can go on to live happy and satisfying lives free from their eating disorder.
There are ways in which you can help the body to repair from the effects of bulimia once treatment is completed. These include:
- Eating a healthy diet that is abundant in fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains
- Taking supplements such as calcium which is important for recovering bulimics who may be at a higher risk of osteoporosis.
- Seeing the dentist to treat any current damage
- Seeking ongoing therapy