Young adults may experience a higher risk of developing an eating disorder. To make matters even more complicated, eating disorders may also be accompanied by an addiction to drugs or alcohol. There are different types of eating disorders that young individuals can suffer from.
One of the more upsetting disorders is bulimia. If you have a loved one facing either of these pressing issues, you know exactly how overwhelming these challenges can become. You also know how crucial effective bulimia treatment is for your child.
Understanding Bulimia
Eating disorders are either emotional or mental health conditions that result in problems with food consumption. The person facing an eating disorder might have a distorted view of their body. They may have a strong desire to lose weight because they think they are too heavy. Regarding bulimia, this often results in the consumption of large amounts of food followed by intense feelings of shame or guilt. These guilt feelings may cause the person to over-exercise or make themselves throw up the food. Bulimia treatment is needed to get the condition under control and prevent serious health complications.
Signs of Bulimia
To get the best bulimia treatment, you’ll need to be aware of the critical clues of this condition. Some can include:
- Mood swings: Those suffering from a condition such as bulimia may alternate between feelings of sadness, anger, aggression, or extreme guilt. Their mood may not fit their current life circumstances.
- Food aversions: Those with an eating disorder often avoid specific types of foods. If they do consume certain types of food, they may show extreme levels of regret or guilt. Some people with eating disorders will skip meals, count calories excessively, or perform similar activities to control their food consumption.
- Hyperactivity: Those with eating disorders often try to burn off calories through excessive physical activity. After they have eaten, they may engage in lengthy or extreme exercise sessions. When they aren’t exercising, they might fidget to burn as many calories as possible.
- Oral health problems: Bulimia usually involves the forceful expulsion of food through vomiting. As a result of continual vomiting over a period of weeks or months, the person may experience oral health problems. These issues could include sores in the mouth or throat, a raspy voice, bad breath, or tooth decay.
- Changes in appearance: When a person faces the severe challenge of an eating disorder, their appearance will usually change. They may show less interest in their cleanliness. Those who are struggling with eating disorders can also become deficient in vital nutrients, causing them to appear sick much of the time. Weight fluctuations are also typical.
Importance of Bulimia Treatment
Many people that suffer from addiction face a related challenge that can complicate their healing journey. For this reason, young adult rehab programs must be versatile and comprehensive enough to cover all challenges that a person is facing. If your loved one suffers from an eating disorder, bulimia treatment or anorexia treatment must be a primary component of their overall addiction recovery plan.
Red Oak Recovery is a rehab treatment center located in Asheville, NC. The dedicated staff at Red Oak provide expertise in traditional, experiential, and clinical therapies to suit the needs of those affected by addiction. Complex cases involving a dual diagnosis can also receive the in-depth treatment they need.
Getting proper eating disorder treatment doesn’t have to be difficult. You don’t have to let an addiction or eating disorder determine your future happiness and success. You can gain the tools you need to overcome these difficult challenges. Call Red Oak Recovery at 866.457.7590 to discover how you can get on the path to a bright and successful future.