Bulimia nervosa, or more popularly as bulimia, is a medical term to describe an eating disorder characterized by overeating behavior, then using various methods to avoid the risk of weight gain afterwards. That's why, generally people with bulimia have a tendency to vomit food in order to expel the contents of the stomach after eating. In addition, several methods that are also commonly used by people with bulimia are excessive exercise, taking diuretics, fasting, etc. after eating food. People with bulimia often experience mental problems, such as depression, and other health complications. As a result, life changes in a more negative direction are prone to occur. Therefore, if there are people closest to you who are struggling with the problem of bulimia, don't hesitate to help them get medical treatment right away.
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Method 1 of 3: Recognizing the Physical Symptoms of Bulimia
Step 1. Watch out for red, swollen eyes and cheeks
If a person is used to throwing up their food, chances are that the cheek and jaw area will look swollen. In addition, they are used to straining very hard which causes the blood vessels in the eyes to burst. As a result, the eyes of people with bulimia will generally look swollen and also red.
Step 2. Watch for scars or calluses on the palms and fingers
When you vomit, what actually comes out of your stomach is not only food, but also stomach acid, and exposure to excess stomach acid can damage your skin and fingers! That's why people with bulimia often develop calluses, and have scars on their hands and knuckles from pressure from their teeth when they try to suppress the urge to vomit.
Step 3. Pay attention to her scent
One of the methods used by people with bulimia to expel their bowels is vomiting, and fortunately, the smell of vomit is very difficult to hide. This means you'll definitely notice it if you're willing to pay a little more attention than usual. If the smell only appears once, it's likely that she's really sick (and embarrassed to admit it). However, if you find the smell repeatedly, chances are he does have a habit of throwing up his food.
Step 4. Watch out for extreme weight changes
Actually, vomiting is not an effective way to reduce calories in the body, even though this is the condition that people with bulimia generally want to achieve. That's why people with bulimia don't always suffer from underweight. In fact, most people with bulimia have a normal weight or slightly more than normal. However, one thing is for sure, they are common to experience extreme weight changes, such as losing 5 kg in one month, then gaining 7 kg the next month, and losing 8 kg again shortly after.
Step 5. Observe the condition of the mouth
If he expels his food by vomiting, chances are his lips will look dry and cracked. In addition, the gums will bleed and the color of the teeth will be uneven. In particular, the general practitioner or dentist may also find swelling of the salivary glands or erosion of tooth enamel.
Step 6. Discuss your concerns with your doctor
If the person you suspect has bulimia is a minor (and you are an adult guardian), don't hesitate to raise your concerns with your doctor. As a medical professional, the doctor can help identify the symptoms of bulimia in the person, such as metabolic acidosis or alkalosis. In addition, high cholesterol numbers can also indicate a bulimia problem.
Method 2 of 3: Recognizing Behavioral Symptoms of Bulimia
Step 1. Observe his behavior after eating
As previously explained, people with bulimia will generally eat very large amounts of food, then eviscerate afterward. That is why, they will usually ask permission to leave the table earlier than other people, because they feel the need to expel the contents of the stomach as soon as possible due to eating too much or eating the wrong food. Usually, they will do it in the bathroom, though not always. Therefore, always pay attention to the eating habits of the person you suspect to analyze their behavior.
Step 2. Watch his behavior in the bathroom
In fact, people with bulimia will generally empty their bowels in the bathroom while turning on the water, so that the sound of vomiting is not heard from outside. In addition, they may also press the “flush” button on the toilet several times to get rid of the unpleasant smell of vomit, and generally this behavior occurs shortly after they eat.
Step 3. Watch out for withdrawn behavior from your surroundings
If a person is trying to fight his bulimia problem, chances are great guilt and very low self-esteem will overwhelm him. As a result, he will stop interacting with those closest to him, and refuse to make eye contact with anyone. In addition, he may also stop being physically and emotionally involved in a romantic relationship.
Step 4. Evaluate the feeding schedule
In fact, people with bulimia often have difficulty following a fixed eating schedule. In other words, they will generally skip meals, then consume very large amounts of food at certain times, and will only stop when their bodies start to feel uncomfortable. Sometimes, they too get stuck in a cycle of fasting after eating very large amounts of food. All of these are behavioral symptoms of bulimia that you should watch out for!
Step 5. Beware of excessive obsession with body image
In many cases, the obsession can be well hidden behind the mask of "their concern for the health of the body." Some examples of excessive obsession with body image are being picky about food, always counting calories when eating, adopting a very extreme diet, exercising to extremes, constantly worrying about the food that goes into his body and his weight, and obsession with his appearance. While self-care is a positive behavior, being overly obsessed with “health” or “appearance” could indicate an eating disorder such as bulimia in the person.
Step 6. Watch out for defensive behavior
If the person is hiding their bulimia problem, it is likely that the shame and guilt that arises will make them behave very defensively, hoping that the problem will not be caught by anyone, including you.
Step 7. Beware of overuse of breath fresheners
If the person expels food by regurgitating it, he or she will likely take a breath freshener afterward, whether it be chewing gum, mouthwash, or menthol gum, to mask the pungent smell of vomit. Therefore, if the person is also showing other symptoms of bulimia, or if your suspicions of him or her are really strong for any reason, pay more attention to the behavior. However, always remember that the habit of chewing gum alone, cannot be used as a valid basis for suspicion.
Step 8. Be aware of behaviors associated with bulimia
Basically, bulimic behavior is rooted in a person's emotional struggles and self-esteem. That is why, people with bulimia will generally also show other behavioral symptoms that reflect these struggles, such as consuming addictive substances, experiencing depression, experiencing anxiety disorders, and experiencing anorexia.
Method 3 of 3: Recognizing Other Symptoms of Bulimia
Step 1. Watch out for food that disappears without a trace
For people with bulimia, eating disorders are actually a condition that makes them embarrassed. That's why, they have a tendency to steal food secretly and eat it without anyone knowing. Therefore, if you notice that the food in your home often disappears without a trace, pay special attention because it is possible that the trigger is the bulimia problem.
Step 2. Monitor the trash can in the home of the person you suspect has bulimia
If the person likes to eat quietly, he will most likely throw away the evidence, right? That's why, if you don't think any food is missing but find a food container or wrapper in the trash, chances are that someone else in the household is showing signs of bulimia. Therefore, make sure you always check the contents of the trash can before being picked up by the cleaners, especially since the person may only be throwing away their food at the last minute before the cleaners arrive.
Step 3. Look for products that work to remove food from the stomach
In fact, not all people with bulimia vomit their food. So far, quite a lot of people with bulimia choose to take laxatives or diuretic drugs to expel food from their stomachs. In addition, other products that are commonly used are diet pills and appetite control pills to facilitate their fasting process.
Step 4. Watch out for a smell that resembles the smell of vomit
Not everyone is able to recognize the smell of vomit. However, you will most likely notice if the smell wafting from the bathroom is not what it used to be. In addition to the smell, also be aware if the clothes he wears emit a smell similar to vomit. It's possible that he does have bulimia.
Step 5. Watch out for clogged bathroom drains or sinks
Remember, not everyone throws up in the toilet bowl! Some people prefer to vomit in the sink, or even in the bathroom, because the sound of the water is loud enough to mask the sound of their vomiting. That's why, if suddenly your bathroom drain or sink becomes clogged, get it checked immediately because this condition could indicate a bulimia problem in your home.
Tips
- Remember, people with eating disorders generally cannot stop the behavior alone. Criticizing the behavior will only further lower their self-esteem and worsen their behavior. That's why, if you think someone you know has bulimia, don't hesitate to seek professional help.
- Remember, eating disorders can affect both men and women, regardless of their age. In other words, bulimia can affect anyone, regardless of the gender and age of the sufferer.
- Some people have the ability to regurgitate their food without the other person realizing it.
- If the person experiencing bulimia is a close friend or relative, be supportive by not commenting on their appearance. Instead, always remind them that you're always there to lend a helping hand, and that they don't need to be stuck in that state forever. Remember, hope is always there for those who believe in it.
Warning
- Don't share your concerns with a person with suspected bulimia in public!
- Don't force someone to communicate their difficulty with eating disorders to you. Remember, some people will even be aware of or willing to admit the problem after consulting a medical professional.
- If you think someone has bulimia, take the necessary action immediately. Remember, bulimia can damage a person's condition quickly, so it is very important that you provide or seek help as soon as possible.
- Just because someone has bulimia doesn't mean they have the disease.
