Most people understand that Bulimia is when someone eats food and purges it shortly after. There are still some misconceptions surrounding bulimia that are important to be aware of. Bulimia is an eating disorder characterized by episodes of bingeing and purging. While bulimia is often thought of as a disorder that affects young women, it can actually affect people of all genders, ages, and backgrounds. Bulimia is often triggered by dieting. When people restrict their food intake, they may be more likely to binge when finally giving in to their cravings. Here are five facts you probably didn’t know about Bulimia.
Bulimia Is Often Rooted In Compulsive Behavior/Habits
Bulimia typically impacts people focused on their body image, and feeling that they need to control their weight. Eating what they want, and feeling guilt and embarrassment, will be purged by vomiting excessive diuretics or laxatives. There can also be an over-exercise component in order to compensate for food eaten, leading to injuries and deficiencies in their body.
It Is Possible To Have Normal Body Weight Even With Bulimia?
If someone is bulimic, it doesn’t automatically mean they will be clinically underweight. The person who has bulimia can still be an average body weight since they are still consuming calories, and their body adjusts to the lack of calories, so their weight doesn’t fluctuate as drastically. Some cases of bulimia are misdiagnosed as something else because you often do not see the drastic change in your body as you would with anorexia.
Bulimia doesn’t mean you purge after every meal
If someone is bulimic, it doesn’t automatically mean they will be clinically underweight. The person who has bulimia can still be an average body weight since they are still consuming calories, and their body adjusts to the lack of calories, so their weight doesn’t fluctuate as drastically. Some cases of bulimia are misdiagnosed as something else because you often do not see the drastic change in your body as you would with anorexia.
It's About Control
People with bulimia may experience the desire to be skinny. Still, in many cases, the people that struggle with this are seeking control of something in their life; food can be an easier method of controlling the food you eat and when and how you purge, making it a vicious cycle that can be very difficult to get out of.
Men suffer from bulimia too
We typically mostly hear about women struggling with this eating disorder. The percentage of bulimia cases According to data, is that nearly 15% of people being treated for bulimia and anorexia are actually male. Males are less likely to seek help and are less likely to show noticeable symptoms.
