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Bulimia nervosa is a destructive eating pattern where the person overeats in a serious manner and then releases all the consumed food through vomiting or using laxatives. The binge-purge cycle may happen a number of times in a week and even more than once in a day. However, bulimia is not limited to this cycle but can be emotionally tormenting and may lead to life-threatening conditions while leaving long term effects on the human body.

It is important to note that binge eating and purging are not the only symptoms of bulimia nervosa but can show others like:

• Giddiness
• Constant mood swings
• Tooth decay
• Redness in eyes
• Puffy cheeks or facial swelling
• Throat swelling due to vomiting
• Blood in vomit
• Weak heart showing irregular heartbeat
• Compulsive exercising to control weight
• Lower sex drive
• Dry skin
• Damage in digestive tract
• Pregnancy complications

The overall damage to the metabolism puts a great strain on the body to function properly which ultimately leads to emotional stress. Research indicated that roughly 1.5% women will develop bulimia in their lifetime where 50% will recover in 10 years. However, about 30% of women can experience relapse of the disorder, causing long term effects of bulimia after recovering.

What Are Short Term Effects Of Bulimia Nervosa?

Apart from the symptoms mentioned in the list above, people suffering from bulimia can show signs like absence of menstruation or anemia which can lead to body fatigue. Dehydration, dryness in skin, constipation and changes in electrolyte levels could also be experienced. Cavities, gum problems, hair loss, organ failure and damage to internal organs are some other side effects of bulimia.

What Are The Long Term Effects Of Bulimia Nervosa?

1. Mental and Emotional Health (Central Nervous System)

The person dealing with this disorder doesn’t feel disruption in their physical health alone but can also experience depression, anxiety, or obsessive compulsive disorders. This irritable behavior and mood swings could be due to lack of vitamins and essential nutrients. If you take an example then checking weight and monitoring of food becomes an obsession for them. Some of the individuals also get into substance abuse secretly in order to achieve ideal body weight. It all combines with stress, anxiety, guilt, embarrassment and shame while some of them develop suicidal behavior due to thoughts of unhealthy body image.

2. Physical Effects

1. Digestive System The digestive system of an individual dealing with bulimia nervosa is compromised leading to weak immune systems. Stomach pain, sore throat, high acid content and regular vomiting can cause damage to the mouth like tooth sensitivity, enamel erosion and gum diseases. The damaged intestine leads to bloating, constipation and diarrhea. In fact, the back of the hand is also injured when an individual induces vomiting by putting a finger inside the mouth. This phenomenon is known as Russell’s sign. 2 Circulatory System Purging can cause excessive dehydration ultimately leading to weak muscles and body fatigue. As a long term effect of bulimia, the chances of heart failure increases due to irregular heartbeat and weak heart muscles. This poor circulation can also lead to low blood pressure, weak pulse and anemia. If blood vessels do not hold up in a good condition then it may cause eyes to rupture. 3. Reproductive System Another symptom to identify long term side effects of bulimia is imbalance in hormones. The fatigue is so high that it can kill sex drive, may interfere in menstrual cycle or stop it altogether. Someone who is pregnant and dealing with bulimia nervosa can see complications like:

• Premature birth
• Miscarriage
• Gestational diabetes
• Maternal high blood pressure
• Birth defects
• Stillbirth
• Postpartum depression
• Breastfeeding issues

4. Integumentary System This sort of system comprises hair, skin and nails. Constant purging and dehydration in the body leads to overall dryness that causes frizzy hair and patchy skin. Chances of hair loss also increases due to lack of proper nutrition. With that, nails can also turn brittle and break.

Treatment Of Bulimia Nervosa

After learning about bulimia nervosa side effects, you must be willing to learn the treatment options for it. The goal of this treatment is to promote healthy relationships with food, treat nutritional needs and cope with unpleasant options. One can visit a doctor, mental health professional and nutritionist for diagnosis and treatment. If you are encouraging someone you love, make sure that you support them with love, patience and care. Participation of family and friends play a major role in eating disorder treatment.

Wrap-Up We hope that we have helped you in finding long term side effects of bulimia nervosa and you will be taking the right measures to help yourself or your loved ones. If we could help us in connecting you with a counselor today, drop us a message at info@calmsage.com.

The news of someone departing is shocking but where the mind boggles next is, ‘What to say to a grieving friend? How can I help him or her and comfort them?” Well, let us tell you that there is no pre-planned package to it but your genuineness and compassion are much more helpful than anything else.

Also Read: What to Say to Someone Who is Depressed?

Before we tell you comforting things and ways to show compassion to your loved ones, it is necessary to find what to avoid in a sad phase.

So here’s what you should not do or say to a friend who is grieving.

Worst Things to Say to Someone in Grief:

• Avoid being a sensationalist like gossiping about the news or spreading it to enjoy the shocking nature.
• Don’t tag the grieving relatives on social media, no matter how lovely the old photos were.
• Don’t just focus on good things only. It is good to celebrate the life that the departed soul had but the time may not be right.
• Don’t try to compare your experience with others as there might be a huge difference between the situations.
• Don’t avoid talking to them or cross the roads if you come face to face.
• Don’t comment on their appearance and asking why they are looking dull and not smiling even after an ample amount of time has passed.
• Don’t wait for the right time. You can show your concern through a call or message but avoid showing yourself busy in any such situation.

So if we know things that could be avoided when your loved one is grieving, it’s time to find things that you can say to comfort them.

The Right Words To Say To A Grieving Friend:

1. I am sorry.
2. There are no words.
3. He/She will be missed.
4. My condolences.
5. You are important to me and I am there for you.
6. Be kind to yourself.
7. Tell me more about [person who passed away]
8. I am so sorry that you have to go through this.
9. I wish I could take your pain away.
10. I certainly can’t even imagine what you are going through but I am here for you.
11. Please let me know what I can do for you.
12. Anything I say may not be able to change what has happened but I am here for you and your family.
13. It’s OK to feel what you are feeling right now.
14. Just talk about the memories whenever you wish to.
15. There is no need to talk. I am just sitting beside you.
16. It’s definitely not possible to get ‘over it’ but you will get through it.
17. ‘I remember when…’ and a good memory can be shared.
18. May the memories of (the person who has left) bring you peace.
19. Give a hug and let your friend express themselves.
20. I am just a phone call away. You can ping or call me anytime you want.
21. I am going to miss them too. Can I call you again in the evening to keep a check on you?
22. I know how much he or she meant to you. I am sorry you have to go through this.
23. We will get through this together.

What Are The Other Comforting Ways To Show Your Grieving Friend?

Although your words play an important role when you say something to your grieving friend, there are other things you can do to make them feel better.

1. Express Your Love

Even though our friend would say that he is fine but it’s definitely not the actual state. This is why you can find your own way to show love to your friend who is grieving. For example:

• Just hug them and hold their hands when they are crying
• Send postcards, emails, WhatsApp messages, or bereavement letters
• Send vouchers for yoga classes
• Send pampering products to comfort themselves during the empty hours of the day
• Make meals for them.
• Send books that can make them feel good
• Give them company to undertake activities like gardening, walking, etc.

Even though such expressions of love may not be much help but your friend would still know that there is a comforting hand beside them, no matter what.

2. Listen To Them

It is possible that your grieving friend doesn’t want to initiate any conversation when he or she is grieving but gives them some space without creating the need to interact. However, if they speak then give them ears instead of unnecessarily trying to solve their problems.

3. Be Sensitive With Your Words

Although one of the toughest tasks to do, your friend may not want to hear ‘passed away’, ‘no longer with us’ or ‘he is in a better place’ as it may be rude. It is fine if you use the term ‘died’ and not place your foot around the subject. However, some people don’t want to hear explicitly so it is suggested to find what that person wants to hear.

4. Do What You Can ‘In Real’

As you say that you would like to do something for them, do the things that they actually want and can help them. For example, pick up the kids from school, buy groceries from a nearby store or cook food for them.

If They Need An Expert…

Observe calmly and see if there are signs that your friend needs grief counseling to make themselves feel better. If it is happening then provide them with the best online grief support groups where they can talk to an expert or fellow members of the group and share their problems.

You can even drop us a message at info@calmsage.com and ask us to connect you with a counselor today!

Next Read:

7+ Types of Grief That We All Experience

What To Do When You Can’t Afford A Therapist

Be Your Own Healer: Understanding the Stages of Grief

11 Ways To Let Go Of The Past & Move Freely In Future

Editor’s Note: All opinion section content reflects the views of the individual author only and does not represent a stance taken by The Collegian or its editorial board.

On March 16, a shooting spree left eight dead in Atlanta; six of the victims were women of Asian descent.

Robert Aaron Long, the man charged with the murders, told investigators his ‘sex addiction’ motivated him to “take out that temptation,” according to Cherokee County sheriff’s Capt. Jay Baker.

Long explained his behavior with discussions of his addiction (although sex addiction is not acknowledged by the psychiatric community as a disorder).

Mass shootings are all too common in the United States, and the narrative about mental illness woven into the discussion about these shootings is damaging. Instead of discussing why the shooter is “crazy” or mentally ill, we should be discussing the effects of toxic masculinity within our culture.

More severe mental illnesses are often left out of the conversation when discussing mental health. When we leave severe mental illnesses out and only discuss them in the context of mass violence, we are contributing to the stigma around them.

According to data from the Gun Violence Archive, the U.S. has seen at least 160 (number changes daily) mass shootings in 2021, and 41 (number changes daily) reported shootings were in April alone.

More severe mental illnesses are often stigmatized in the media and discussed primarily following acts of mass violence.

Understandably, following a mass shooting, many people are gripped with grief and fear and look for explanations for the events. Labeling the shooter as “crazy” and mentally ill seems to quell this need for answers, but it negatively impacts people actively struggling with mental illness.

Open discussions about mental health and well-being are incredibly important to helping college students maneuver through school and enter full adulthood well-adjusted, but more severe mental illnesses are repeatedly left out of that discussion.”

Instead of immediately labeling a shooter mentally ill or “crazy,” we should examine the role toxic masculinity plays in creating their perceptions of the world and perceived “justifications” for their actions.

According to The Violence Project, as reported by National Public Radio, 98% of mass shootings are committed by men.

Men are more likely to blame others and externalize their negative emotions, where women are more likely to internalize blame. Men’s externalization of blame and negativity breeds hostility toward others, instead of internal turmoil, making them more violent.

Some people argue that men are biologically predisposed to aggression, which is perpetuated by “boys will be boys” culture, which socializes young boys to believe that their reckless or aggressive behaviors are just part of their nature. This same behavior is criticized when displayed by young girls and “corrected” early on.

Toxic masculinity in the U.S. places importance on more stereotypically masculine behaviors and shames those who appear or act more effeminate. Toxic masculinity can be seen in phrases like “boys don’t cry” or “man up,” which teach young boys and men to bottle up their emotions.

@lesbeanast

Bring back manly men. #fyp #masculinity #toxicmasculinity #UpTheBeat #educate

♬ original sound – THE clown 😎

This internalization of masculinity creates a vicious cycle where men feel emasculated and act out in a hyper-masculine way (such as committing a mass shooting to show aggression) to regain a sense of control and then shame other men into that same conformity.

Mass shootings are an extreme example of this, to be clear, but that the need to reach impossible, hyper-masculine standards — without reaching out for help because that would be too feminine — creates a space for insecurity and hostility.

This does not justify the actions of those who commit mass shootings, but it is a more central and grounded idea than labeling them as mentally ill and moving on.

A majority of mass shooters are better classified as “emotionally disturbed” rather than sufferers of severe mental illness. Psychiatrists categorize bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and major depression as severe mental illness, among others.

According to Psychiatric Times, “In general, the best available research finds very little clinical evidence that most mass shooters have suffered from serious mental illness — usually taken to mean schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders; bipolar disorder; or major depressive disorder.”

In fall 2018, 41.2% of college students met with a counselor, therapist or psychologist via select providers, according to Statista.

Mental health discussions are prevalent on college campuses, including Colorado State University, especially discussions of anxiety and depression, common disorders that college students struggle with.

Open discussions about mental health and well-being are incredibly important to helping college students maneuver through school and enter full adulthood well-adjusted, but more severe mental illnesses are repeatedly left out of that discussion.

We, as college students, should attempt to destigmatize discussions of more severe mental illnesses by including them in our discussions of mental health and self-care. Only discussing severe mental illness in the context of shootings is incredibly damaging to the everyday people struggling.

Instead, we should examine the role that toxic masculinity plays in creating this emotional instability and not just blame it on mental illness.

Discussing mental illness in nonviolent contexts is crucial in the fight to destigmatize these very real and common disorders faced by everyday people.

Bella Eckburg can be reached at letters@collegian.com or on Twitter @yaycolor.

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