Many doctors have stated that Eating Disorders are all about control, and that an individual suffering from this type of disease lacks control in other ares of their life. While that may be true, I believe Bulimia is more triggered through thoughts of depression, rather than lack of control.

Anxiety and depression cause us to feel sick, tired, weak, and nervous. Bulimics will overeat to help reduce this uneasiness they feel inside, and then purge to feel that sudden release of tension and anger. Purging is to a Bulimic, what cutting is to a person who self-mutilates. The pain and strain on the body hurts for a brief moment, allowing the individual to focus on external pain, instead of the turmoil inside. Then once that pain is released, the individual feels physically relaxed.

Once this individual learns they can physically feel better through purging, it turns into a vicious cycle, because they believe it is the only way they can deal with the problems in their life. It becomes a coping mechanism and a way of their every day life. Every stressful incident is decidedly cured by flushing your dinner (and problems) down the drain. While this mechanism continues to work, the individual with continue to purge. The action can, and probably will get worse over time. The individual will most likely progressively binge and purge more often, up to multiple times per day.

While I believe this behavior can become addicting, I also believe the actions will lessen, and eventually cease once the individual faces and cures the emotional conflicts in their life. However if therapy is not received, relapse will occur once a new unpleasant situation arises.

I believe therapy can cure a person of Bulimia, but not completely of a self-destructive personality. Purging will work until the person finds something "better" such as cutting, burning, or various other self-destructive behaviors. This type of individual doesn't necessarily need treatment with an eating disorder. They need treatment for anxiety, stress, and need to be informed on how to properly deal with stressful situations in a healthy, harmless fashion. He/She should see a therapist a few times per month, and keep a diary of their emotions to help stay emotionally stable.

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