How To Help A Family Member Who Displays Bulimic Symptoms
Do you have concerns about a family member who is displaying bulimic symptoms
? It may be hard to know if a loved one is suffering from an unhealthy relationship with food. This is mostly due to the fact that they may be ashamed and hiding their eating from family members. This is a very common aspect of bulimia. You may even wonder if this is what is going on as some people who have bulimic symptoms are not under weight. To learn more about how you can help a family member, you should first become familiar with typical bulimic symptoms and warning signs.
What is Bulimia?
Bulimia is an eating disorder which is characterized by a cycle of binging and purging. This is when a person has a compulsion to eat a large amount of food. Binge eating is followed by some act of purging. Types of purging include vomiting, using a laxative or enema, fasting, excessive exercise or fix quick diets.
Warning Signs For Bulimia
You may notice some of these warning signs if you have a loved one suffering from an unhealthy relationship with food. One thing to look for is the disappearance of food. Do you stock your fridge to find most of the food gone in a day or two? Have you found food in odd places around the house? This could be where they are hiding food so that they do not eat an unhealthy amount of food in front of you. Do you notice a major change in appetite? This could be a sign of the cycle of overeating and then fasting.
Bulimic Symptoms
Below is a list of physical bulimic symptoms that may occur in those with bulimia.
- Not able to control eating
- Secretive about eating habits
- Eating large amounts of food
- Will go from overeating to fasting
- Using the bathroom after meals to purge
- Use of laxatives
- Excessive exercise
There are also physical and emotional bulimic symptoms to watch out for. Below is the list of things you may notice.
- Scars on knuckles
- Puffy cheeks
- Not under weight
- Fluctuates in weight
- Shame and Guilt
- Depression
One thing that you can do to help you loved one pull through is to be there as a support system. Let them know that you care about them and understand that they have been through struggles. Another way to help someone with bulimia is to continue educating yourself on this eating disorder and ways that you can help yourself and loved ones. A person who has bulimia may no longer display bulimic symptoms, but may still want to lose weight. This can be done. Help your loved one by supporting them through a non-diet approach to weight loss.