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fail to understand that inducing vomiting is a very ineffective way to loose weight because the human body begins processing the intake of nutrients and calories as soon as the food is ingested and the effects of regurgitating are minimal at best.

Furthermore, using diarrhea inducing medications is even less effective with only about 10% of the consumed calories be accounted for and the majority of the weight loss if any is attributed to water loss and increases the danger of dehydration.

Another potential fatal practice that bulimics participate in is the consumption of ipecac syrup which is a medicine used to induce the vomiting. It is not intended for long-term use and can cause severe heart damage and cardiac arrest.

There are several types of treatments for bulimia but the most successful treatment of bulimia requires intense psychotherapy because people with bulimia feel secluded and shamed by their binging and purging, and therapists can help with these feelings.

The most common type of psychotherapy used to help bulimics is cognitive-behavioral therapy. Cognitive-behavioral therapy targets the unhealthy eating behaviors of bulimia and the unrealistic, harmful thoughts that fuel them.

To be successful, cognitive-behavioral therapy must accomplished two things, the first thing that must be done is breaking of the binge and purge cycle and the second is the restoral of normal, healthy eating patterns.

Another accepted bulimia treatment that has been affective is called interpersonal psychotherapy and it helps people with bulimia solve relationship issues and interpersonal problems that are contributing to their eating disorder.

Interpersonal psychotherapy also treats the depression and low self-esteem that goes along with bulimia.

Group therapy has also been shown to be helpful in the treatment of some bulimia patients. Group therapy for bulimia involves education about the eating disorder and strategies for living a normal life. It can also help bulimics feel less isolated and be able to communicate with others who understand their suffering.

This cruel and severe cycle of self destructive behavior can be conquered. But it requires effective intervention, management and support to be able to develop a healthier relationship with food and overcome feelings of fear, blame, and disgrace.

Learn more about this author, Jim Osborn.
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