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About Bulimia....
No
matter which form of treatment you choose (group, individual, outpatient,
hospital) for bulimia, be aware that:
1) Bulimia is curable. The cure usually happens over the long-term,
taking weeks, months, and frequently more than a year. During this time
behaviors gradually improve. Progress is often slow, but steady. Many
people with bulimia either expect an instant cure or feel that they
will have disorder forever. The truth is, slow but steady progress works
the best. Some people will have temporary setbacks, but if you look
over the long haul they are making progress.
2) Initially treatment will focus on education, body image issues, gradually reducing dieting behaviors, reduction of obsessive weighing, learning to cope with general anxiety, learning to feel "safe" and learning to express feelings appropriately. Gradually, this will lead to being physiologically and emotionally ready to reduce bingeing and purging.
3) Eating disorders in and of themselves create depression, both physiologically and because of the emotional stress/shame. There are a lot of different opinions about whether or not to use anti-depressant medication as part of treatment. Generally speaking, medication is most appropriate if a) there is a history of depression in your family b) depression began before eating disorder and c) you have tried specific treatment for your disorder and are unable to make progress.
4) It is very important to treat bulimia directly because of the serious medical complications that can come about if left untreated. Medical consequences can include irregular menstruation, stomach and intestinal problems, dry skin, dental and gum disease, electrolyte imbalance, malnutrition, puffiness and swelling, sore throat, parotid gland swelling (under jawline).. ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS CAN BE CORRECTED AND REVERSED (except dental problems) once bulimic behaviors stop. (Some people do require extensive dental work later in life.)
5) Bulimia is a form of substance abuse, and while not addictive in quite the same way as alcohol or drugs, it rarely goes away by itself.
And remember, current estimates say that between 10 and 20% of college-age women and 1-2% of young men have bulimia, so you are not alone with this. Cure rates, with treatment, are extremely high. Any healing work takes courage, patience, and hard work. You can do it!