TEEN BULIMIA IN MARIN

By the time girls in Marin reach middle school, many believe they are fat and have already attempted to lose weight even if they are thin.  We live in a culture of perfection where teen girls want to look good in order to be valued and fit in.   Because this has become such common behavior, it’s important to know the actual symptoms of the eating disorder. 

Bulimics usually engage in a secret cycle of bingeing and purging. Bingeing is a compulsive consumption of large amounts of food in a short period of time. Purging is an attempt to rid the body of the calories from bingeing.  Some forms of purging are: over-exercise, use of laxatives, diuretics, Ipecac, vomiting, fasting, or diet pills.

Bulimia symptoms may include:

• Abnormal bowel functioning
• Damaged teeth and gums
• Swollen salivary glands in the cheeks
• Sores in the throat and mouth
• Bloating
• Dehydration
• Fatigue
• Dry skin
• Irregular heartbeat
• Sores, scars or calluses on the knuckles or hands
• Menstrual irregularities or loss of menstruation (amenorrhea)

Emotional and behavioral symptoms may include:

• Constant dieting
• Inability to control eating behavior
• Eating until the point of discomfort or pain
• Self-induced vomiting
• Laxative use
• Excessive exercise
• Unhealthy focus on body shape and weight
• Having a distorted, excessively negative body image
• Going to the bathroom after eating or during meals
• Hoarding food
• Depression or anxiety

Call for a free initial phone consultation: 415-360-5445