Bulimia Chat Rooms : Are They Any Good?

The following complications associated with laxative abuse can seriously affect sufferers from chronic bulimia and related eating disorders:

- Kidney complications
- Colon Malfunctions or complete collapse of the colon
- Electrolyte imbalance
- Dehydration
- Potassium depletion
- Dependence on laxatives

To read all the problems caused by bulimia - click the big arrow link below . . .

Breaking free from bulimia (or indeed any of the eating disorders) is not an easy task.

One of the main difficulties is just getting started.

By it's very nature, bulimia is a secretive and guilt rudden illness, whose survival is often assured by the fact that sufferers do their binge eating in private and away from friends and relatives - and their purging is done in the bathroom, behind locked doors.

The existence of bulimia is not a happy coincidence. The factors that come together and allow it to take a grip on your life are usually based on irrational self-image issues and self doubt, and the need to control 'something' is often a strong factor in a young life that feels out of control. These are not good bedfellows to help effect a recovery, and sufferers will often go to great lengths and become devious to pretend that all is well.

The first step is recognition by the sufferer that this can't go on. The second step is developing an ongoing desire to do something about it. These are big and vital steps. Without them - the recovery will not get off the ground

Here are the notes from a mom who finally discovered (almost too late) that her teenage daughter was suffering from chronic anorexia with bulimic tendencies.

Here - she shares her list of bulimia warning signs:

Is your child showing any of these behaviors and symptoms:

* An increased preoccupation with food.
* A consuming obsession with body weight, physical appearance, and body image.
* Secretive binge eating - where amounts of 3000 calories or more are consumed at a time.
* Numerous visits to the bathroom - particularly after meals.
* Keeps a store of laxatives, diet pills and diuretics hidden away.
* Uses - or possesses - drugs that induce vomiting (Such as Ipecac Syrup)
* Menstruation erratic or non-existent.
* Excessive and obsessive exercise routines.
* A smell of vomit on the breath
* Saliva glands that appear swollen.
* Puffy or swollen cheeks
* Tiny broken blood capillaries in the whites of the eyes

If you can confirm these symptoms are present in your child's behavior and appearance - then you now have incontrovertible proof that she/he is battling alone with a serious eating disorder that could prove fatal. If you ask - and they say "No, I'm fine thanks." or "It's nothing to worry about" - DON'T be put off.

This IS very serious and failure to act straight away could result in the death of your child.

"For 10 long years I have suffered from bulimia and have abused myself through a cloud of destructive deceit. It was a journey of torture and pain that felt like it would never end.

But today, I am able to face myself in the mirror and see a real person reflected back at me. I can see not only flesh, blood and bones, but also a human being with feelings. For the very first time I am able to see beyond my physical being and recognize a whole person with a personality. I can see me.

For ten lonely years I agonized, trapped in an empty shell with just my bulimia for company. I was 'me' - I just couldn't see 'me' for the longest time."

To make your first move towards recovery and freedom from your eating disorder - follow this link > > > Exploring Bulimia Treatment