Like any bad habit one may pick up, treatment for bulimia is a gradual process rather
than an overnight solution. However, without treatment of some sort, the disorder will
persist and create a handful of health problems for the victim including: tooth decay
(caused by stomach acids during purging), gastric irritations, skin problems, and hair
loss.(5) The realization that one is not alone with the problem, just one of millions
of women whom also suffer from the disorder worldwide, is another important point to
be aware of in the journey for healing. Therefore, victims should inform another person
of their problem, either a trusted family member or close friend, to serve as a source of
comfort and support. Seeking both physical and therapeutic treatment is often an wise
approach for recovering bulimics. (5) While more severe cases of bulimia may require
long term hospital stays, (6) the supervision of a family physician or some form of
medical treatment is necessary to stabilize the health of the victim.(5) Therapy, in the
form of a counselor, support group, or therapist (depending on one's situation), allows
feelings or the emotional aspects of the disorder to come to surface.(5) Since bulimics
are at risk of depression and even suicide, antidepressants, may also be administered
as an option for patients struggling severely with the disorder.(5) Local telephone
directories, depending on the city one lives, generally provide a list of treatment
centers, including some specializing in the treatment of eating disorders. (search
words: eating disorders , counseling , or treatment .)
Books to read and absorb:
The Body Project: An Intimate History of American Girls By: Joan Jacobs Jacobs Brumberg
The book was recommended by Terrie Hurt, a professor of women's studies at Arizona State University. The author, Joan Jacobs Jacobs Brumberg, compares women of the past to women of the present. She describes in full how appearances have sadly come to determine the self-worth of women today.
Each Day a New Beginning: Daily Meditation for Women By: Karen Casey
This miniature book supplies both inspirational quotes, advice, and meditations for the reader to absorb and apply to everyday life.
Websites to explore:
gurl.com
This particular webpage is packed with enough girl power to light up a city. The site is
truly dedicated to women, or girls if you will, and covers a wide range of topics,
including body image and a section they refer to as, ˇ°sucky emotions.ˇ±
something-fishy.org
This webpage may have a strange title but truly covers the topic of eating disorders
very well. I especially appreciate the site's special section titled, ˇ°cultural
issues,ˇ± which discusses the myths behind eating disorders and women of color quite
nicely. A discussion forum along with real life stories from the victims themselves
also creates a positive, online atmosphere for the reader.
