Bulimia is treated most successfully when diagnosed early. However, the person may deny there is a problem and getting medical help is often delayed. Moreover, family members and friends may not recognize the depth of the problem because it is not as apparent as anorexia where you notice the person losing weight. A complete physical examination in order to rule out other illnesses is the first step to diagnosis.
According to the American Psychiatric Association, a diagnosis of bulimia requires that a person have all of the following symptoms:
- recurrent episodes of binge eating (minimum average of two binge-eating episodes a week for at least three months)
- a feeling of lack of control over eating during the binges
- regular use of one or more of the following to prevent weight gain: self-induced vomiting, use of laxatives or diuretics, strict dieting or fasting, or vigorous exercise
- persistent over-concern with body shape and weight
Chantelle
Now that i've overcome anorexia there's no way i ever want to go back there. I remember all that was important for me was being thin and that I'd be able to see my protruding bones in the mirror...
Malcolm
Most children are either fat or thin. I was the former. This wasn't a problem until I started to realize that it was more acceptable to be thin. This realization made me want...
Emma
I began my recovery journey from anorexia when I was 16 years old. It was a gradual process and a hard one, but once I truly felt that I wanted to get better and be healthy and happy, the steps moved quicker...