The Early Signs of Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia nervosa is among the best-known eating disorders and affects people of all races, gender, and ethnicities. Eating disorders affect approximately 2 million women and roughly a million men in the United States, and it’s still growing.

The frightening increase of eating disorders is why DC Wellness Mental and Behavioral Health Services is here to disclose some of the early signs and symptoms of bulimia nervosa:

• Hiding the body.
  While hiding one’s figure under baggy and loose clothes is not a big indication of an eating disorder, but is still considered a symptom. Don’t take your friend or loved one’s unwillingness to wear better fitting clothes as the sign to call mental health services in Hendersonville, North Carolina.
• Self-induced vomiting or other purging methods.
  Take note of your loved one’s or friend’s behavior during meal times. This purging behavior may take the forms of frequent bathroom breaks after meals, stocking up on laxatives, and frequent dieting. You should also look out for the smell of vomit. If the odor is frequently observed, it’s time to talk with that person.
• Signs related to vomiting.
  Besides behavioral indicators, some physical characteristics of induced vomiting are discolored or stained teeth, swollen cheeks, and jawline, callouses on the fingers and knuckles.

If these signs are present, you may have to speak to the person and encourage them to consider behavioral health services in North Carolina. They may deny at first, and that’s a normal response. So be patient.

Understand that you can’t force a person to get cognitive behavioral therapy. Sometimes, these people may even feel resentment towards you, no matter how good your intentions are.

Have questions or concerns about mental health in Puerto Rico? Dial 828-595-2748.