Young adults may experience a higher risk of developing an eating disorder. To make matters even more complicated, eating disorders may also be accompanied by an addiction to drugs or alcohol. There are different types of eating disorders that young individuals can suffer from. One of the more upsetting disorders is bulimia nervosa. If you have a loved one facing either of these pressing issues, you know exactly how overwhelming these challenges can become. You also know how crucial an effective bulimia treatment program can be for your son.
Red Oak Recovery® offers hope at our eating disorder treatment center in North Carolina. Call 828.382.9699 to find help in our programs for young men 18-30 years old.
Understanding Bulimia
Eating disorders are either emotional or mental health conditions that result in problems with food consumption. The person facing an eating disorder might have a distorted view of their body. They may have a strong desire to lose weight because they think they are too heavy.
When someone struggles with bulimia, they consume large amounts of food, followed by intense feelings of shame or guilt. These guilty feelings may cause the person to over-exercise or make themselves throw up the food—this is called the bing-purge cycle. Bulimia treatment is needed to get the condition under control and prevent serious health complications.
Even though many people believe the stigma, eating disorders don’t affect just young women and adolescent girls. Young men also struggle with conditions like bulimia, often in silence. Reducing the stigma and shame around finding a bulimia treatment program can empower young men to find a better way forward when they realize they need support.
Signs a Bulimia Treatment Center Can Help
The signs and symptoms of bulimia are the most obvious ways to tell if you or a loved one need help. Before enrolling in a bulimia treatment program, look out for the following red flags:
Mood Swings
Those suffering from a condition such as bulimia may alternate between feelings of sadness, anger, aggression, or extreme guilt. Their mood may not fit their current life circumstances.
Food Aversions
Individuals with an eating disorder often avoid specific types of foods. If they do consume certain types of food, they may show extreme levels of regret or guilt. Some people with eating disorders will skip meals, count calories excessively, or perform similar activities to control their food consumption.
Hyperactivity
People with eating disorders often try to burn off calories through excessive physical activity. After they have eaten, they may engage in lengthy or extreme exercise sessions. When they aren’t exercising, they might fidget to burn as many calories as possible.
Oral Health Problems
Bulimia usually involves the forceful purging of food through vomiting. As a result of continual vomiting over a period of weeks or months, the person may experience oral health problems. These issues could include sores in the mouth or throat, a raspy voice, bad breath, or tooth decay.
Changes in Appearance
When a person faces the severe challenge of an eating disorder, their appearance will usually change. They may show less interest in their cleanliness. Those who are struggling with eating disorders can also become deficient in vital nutrients, causing them to appear sick much of the time. Weight fluctuations are also typical.
Living with bulimia is not just a battle with food. It’s a battle with self-esteem, control, and coping mechanisms. Bulimia treatment can provide the tools and support necessary to overcome this disorder and live a healthy life. At Red Oak Recovery®, we offer a unique program specifically designed for young men aged 18-30 who are struggling with bulimia and other co-occurring disorders such as addiction.
When to Find Bulimia Nervosa Treatment
It’s essential to seek help as soon as you notice signs of bulimia in yourself or a loved one. The longer the disorder goes untreated, the more damaging it can be to a person’s physical and mental health.
Left untreated, bulimia can lead to serious health complications, including organ damage, malnutrition, and even death. By seeking help early on, you can prevent these consequences and start on the path to recovery. At Red Oak Recovery®, our experienced team of professionals will work with you or your loved one to develop a personalized treatment plan that addresses all aspects of the disorder.
Importance of Bulimia Treatment for Men
Without treatment and support, bulimia can have severe consequences on a person’s physical and mental health. It can lead to issues such as dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, gastrointestinal problems, and malnutrition. As men are often less likely to seek help for eating disorders due to societal stigmas, it is even more crucial for them to have access to appropriate treatment options.
Our treatment center near Asheville, NC, is a haven for young men 18-30. We are a clinician-run campus, prioritizing evidence-based, holistic healing plans for the young men who come to us for help. The Red Oak team is experienced in treating a range of challenges young men face, from bulimia to addiction to depression.
The bulimia treatment program at Red Oak Recovery® Center is designed to promote comprehensive healing. If you or your son is dealing with an eating disorder, addiction, mental health problem, or a combination of behavioral health issues, we can help.
Start Bulimia Treatment in Asheville, NC, at Red Oak Recovery®
Getting proper eating disorder treatment doesn’t have to be difficult. You don’t have to let your relationship with food and your emotions determine your future happiness and success. You can gain the tools you need to overcome these difficult challenges. Contact Red Oak Recovery® online or at 828.382.9699 to discover how you can get on the path to a bright and successful future.
