Bulimia-Psych notes

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Bulimia-Psych notes

Historically an eating disorder primarily found in girls, bulimia, or bingeing and purging, now affects record numbers of boys as well. Families can be torn apart and teens can loose years of enjoyment and opportunities if they get drawn into the binge and purge cycle.

It is called a cycle because often teens overeat in response to some emotional trigger, then binge to rid themselves of the food, then convince themselves that it was the last time. They hate themselves for having been weak and unable to stop, which weakens their self-esteem and confidence. The next time something is too big to handle, they give in to another binge, followed by another purge, and the cycle repeats itself. They are unable to stop the cycle because they do not have the coping skills to effectively deal with the cause(s).

The Causes of Eating Disorders
Many things can trigger a teen's experimentation with bingeing and purging, such as:

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  1. An emphasis within the family or immediate sphere of influence (coaches, grandparents, older siblings) on diet and the "perfect body." If a teen regularly hears someone they admire and consider to be a role model talking about needing to loose weight, start an exercise program, or diet, they tend to look at themselves as needing to do the same.
  2. The media barrage that emphasizes the "perfect body." Men's, women's, and teen magazines repeatedly carry cover stories about the latest diet fads, body types, and suggestions as to what "you can do to change yours." While standing in line ...

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