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| Bulimia is quite
common in the gay community, although many sufferers do not know
that they have it |
See Southern Gay Men's Health Project for more information. |
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The eating disorder bulimia is common within the gay community, but it is a hidden, misunderstood condition.
What is it?
Bulimia is a disorder in which the sufferer follows periods of compulsive
overeating with periods of purging. When overeating, or ‘binging’,
sufferers may consume huge quantities of food, favouring so-called comfort
foods such as ice cream, cakes and chocolate. Subsequent purging may involve
self-induced vomiting, the consumption of laxatives, extreme exercising
or fasting.
Bulimia is a somewhat hidden condition. Those affected by it look perfectly
normal, and may often appear to be outwardly happy. Bulimia is quite common
within the gay community, although many sufferers do not know that they
have it.
Symptoms
These include frequent binging, self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives
and adherance to strict diet or exercise regimes. A classic indicator
that a person is bulimic is if they frequently adjourn to the bathroom
after meals. Bulimics may also experience extreme weight fluctuation,
depression, hair loss and, in the case of women, menstrual problems. Tooth
decay may also become a problem, as the stomach acids in vomit can erode
tooth enamel.
Causes
Bulimia generally stems from a person’s dissatisfaction with their
body. Bulimics tend to base their self-image on their appearance and display
extreme concern with their weight and body shape. Individuals suffering
from bulimia usually have low self-esteem and experience feelings of helplessness.
There is also evidence that bulimia may be partly caused by chemical malfunctions
in the brain.
Bulimia is a misguided method of dealing with personal distress and emotional
pain. Binging distracts the sufferer from more disturbing issues, and
purges are an effective way to regain the control lost during the binge.
Also, while bulimic behavior may have started as an innocuous way of losing
weight, the cycle of bingeing and purging often becomes addictive.
Treatment
The first step in treating bulimia is getting the sufferer to admit that
they have a problem. This can be difficult because individuals affected
by the condition often do not believe that they are suffering from a disorder.
In addition, it can be hard to determine whether or not a person is suffering
from bulimia because binging and purging is often carried out in secret.
This is compounded by the fact that bulimics are generally not underweight.
Bulimia is usually treated through psychotherapy and nutrition counselling.
In extreme cases, hospitalization may be required, as bulimia can seriously
damage the health of the suffererer. In all cases, long-term care is needed,
as relapse rates are high.
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