A Life-Threatening Eating Disorder
Bulimia is a potentially life-threatening eating disorder. They eat lots of food at one time during what is called a “binge”. “See, a binge is almost always inevitable when one goes without eating for such a long period of time. It doesn’t just satisfy the physical hunger that becomes you; it nourishes the need to escape from our own controlling mind. In this way, the binge presents itself as the ultimate loss of control.”(Waters) Then they feel bad about themselves after then so proceed to throw-up. They often take laxatives and fast during most days or exercising a lot more than the average person should.
Scientists, doctors, and psychologists are discovering more about how eating disorders like anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder affect our brain. While there is still much to be learned, it is very clear that a patient’s nervous system is negatively impacted when they have restrictive behaviors. It affects the part of the brain that controls eating. Bulimia damages the nerves that signal to the brain that the stomach feels full. ‘Research has validated that there is a very strong relationship between bulimia and the brain, helping us to better understand that there is a strong biological basis for this disorder,’ (CNN Heisman) The brains of the men and women with bulimia respond differently to images of food after a moment of stress than the brains of men and women without bulimia and they may not even realize it, according to the small study.
Recovery and Risks
Many people ask, does it get better? Yes, it can. Although they have to want it. There is hope, however, in the fact that many scientists believe that at least some of what was lost can be restored. Health organizations such as the Mayo Clinic or the National Institutes of Health hold opinions that vary on the subject, but all maintain that damage reversal is attainable. “To actually accept that there is an eating disorder or a mental health issue is actually a sign of great, great strength. It is not a sign of weakness at all.” (Owens)
What about the recovery? How does that work? Well, Brittany Burgunder says “Recovery doesn’t mean putting your life on hold. Recovery means holding on so you can live your best life.” Recovery is almost like getting better except, they know they are better they’ve gone through the hard long road to reach their destination. Only approximately 3 in 10 people with bulimia receive treatment. Many people think that is the best thing that can happen, but 2 in those 10 relapses. Only 1 person stays healthy. “I have a remarkable ability to delete all better judgment from my brain when I get my headset on something. I have no sense of moderation, no sense of caution. I have no sense pretty much.” (Owens)
In conclusion, we now know that risks and mental disease in which Bulimia takes control, it is almost like we are asleep and are letting our brain take control and do whatever it wants. It’s unhealthy, it is like being underwater and trying to releasing the chains to let us up, but we have to want it. We have to want to get healthy. Some of us don’t, some of us do. We just have to remember the statistics.
