Bulimia has become in recent years a family term, almost always associated with young people. If only everything were as simple as wrapping yourself in a cocoon and waking up as an adult… But we all have to go through adolescence, a stage in which the body undergoes many changes and the psyche as well.

Social pressure, self-esteem issues, and other factors can trigger bulimia in adolescents, the most common age for this eating disorder.

Bulimia is an eating disorder. It is characterized by consuming large amounts of food in short periods of time and then eliminating it by causing vomiting or using laxatives as a compensatory method.

Likewise, prolonged fasting periods, intense physical exercise or saunas are often used to lose body fluid. The fear of gaining weight is the cause of this behavior, accompanied by depressive symptoms, feelings of guilt and loss of control. Nine out of ten people with bulimia are women.

The terrible consequence of bulimia.

Over time, this mental illness can have serious physical consequences, such as stomach bleeding, loss of tooth enamel, damage to the esophagus, fainting, hair loss, lesions in the mouth, changes in menstruation, and damage to the heart and kidneys. . It is estimated that 5% of those who suffer from it even die.

On a psychological level, the results are often quite serious as well. They range from anxiety, depression and difficulty establishing relationships, to substance abuse and suicide attempts.

Symptoms and signs of bulimia

The symptoms found in bulimia are the following:

  • Irregularity in menstruation.
  • Esophageal burning.
  • Nonspecific abdominal pain.
  • Feeling of lethargy.
  • Abdominal distension.
  • Headaches.
  • Diarrhea and/or constipation.
  • Swelling of hands and feet.
  • Throat pain.
  • Depression.

The signs of bulimia are the following:

  • Calluses on the hands.
  • Hypertrophy of the salivary glands.
  • Erosion of tooth enamel.
  • Periodontal diseases.
  • Cavities.
  • Facial petechiae.
  • Perioral irritation.
  • Oral ulcers.
  • Hematemesis.
  • Edema.
  • Abdominal distension

It is very important to detect bulimia in adolescence because the earlier it is diagnosed and treated, the easier it is to cure. If not, it often becomes a chronic disorder: it is estimated that 20% of patients are still struggling with this condition after 10 years.

Although it is true that a person, to be diagnosed as bulimic, must have developed this type of behavior for at least three months, it is important to be attentive to any type of behavior that indicates the presence of this eating disorder.

Those who suffer from bulimia often hide it very well because they feel ashamed of their eating practices and, when it is finally diagnosed, it is already part of their lifestyle.

Currently, treatment includes psychotherapy and group therapy, often accompanied by antidepressants such as fluoxetine.

The patient perceives reality differently. The person suffering from bulimia has a distorted image of her body and has no idea what portions of food are big role.

Sometimes it may be necessary to resort to pharmacological treatments, from anxiolytics or antidepressants to mood stabilizers and even antipsychotics. and always under close medical surveillance.

Some studies indicate that those who suffer from bulimia have an overproduction of testosterone (predominant hormone in the male body, but which is also present in the female body) and that the use of contraceptive pills (which contain estrogen) helps alleviate symptoms. But it is something that is still under discussion.

We cannot, unfortunately, ignore the changes we go through during adolescence as we would in the safety of a cocoon. However, we can be alert to the signs of bulimia, to grow up with a healthy mind in a healthy body.