TEEN BOOKS & OTHER STUFF: IndieYAbooks.com – Recent Posts

I recently published a post on the young adult books website which I am honoured to share with the highly esteemed and talented Authors such as Fran Veal, Sheena Freitas, Andrea Buginsky, Bill Hiatt and Vincent Morrone. There are more which I will share as I go along so that you can see some of their fantastic books and blogs.

Check out the recent IndieYAbooks.com post here: http://indieyabooks.com/2014/02/does-hope-exist-bulimia-nervosa-and-the-journey-to-skin-and-bone/

Bulimia, and The Terrifying Journey to Skin and Bone

I enjoyed researching this particular article because I have teenagers of my own, and it is always good to keep an eye on the activities, the trends, and the problems that young people are experiencing today. Sometimes the parents are the last to find out what is actually going on in their childrens' daily lives. Social internet sites, computer games, and mobile phones can sometimes steal away precious social interactions at home. But that is a whole other article!

Eating Disorders – Statistics

As you can see from the graph there are an astonishing 25 000 people per million who have suffered with Bulimia! 20 000 have had some kind of problem with Binge Eating, and 5000 per million have become Anorexic!

Scary statistics, and I don't know about you, but I'm watching mine like a hawk for fear of them falling into the same kind of behaviour.

It's not all fun and games being a teenager (I remember) and the world we live in demands so much from youngsters today. Magazines, newspapers, gossip columns and peers churn out 'perfect' people in the shape of Movie Stars, Pop and Rock Idols, Super Models and so on, and it is easy for a child to assume that being incredibly underweight is a must if you want to succeed in life.

Binge Eating

"Bulimia had it's grip on me for over a decade. I suffered many painful and embarrassing side effects. I was very sick. In fact... I'm amazed that I survived bulimia."

This is when a child could think of what seems a quick and easy solution to their weight problem (which in fact, might not even be a problem and exists in their mind alone). They begin to starve themselves regularly, and when they succumb to their appetite they eat far more than they normally would, just to throw it all up at the first opportunity. Everyone gets sick from time to time if they are ill, or something they have eaten does not agree with them, and the human body uses the gag reflex to rid the body of dangerous diseases, and germs. When it is continually happening though, the body reacts in a serious way, and can render a person extremely ill in a very short period of time.

Rotting Teeth

I was going to include an image here, but when I checked them out online I decided to spare you that. The stomach acid, when it is continually being brought up into the mouth, disintegrates the protective tooth enamel and exposes the softer dentine which is far more easily damaged: you get the picture. This is just one area of the human body damaged by constantly regurgitating food.

There are many more side-effects that can occur in a suffering Bulimic. Check out this site I found to learn more:

http://www.your-bulimia-recovery.com/bulimia-complications.html

Dehydration

Digestive Problems

Constipation

Tearing of the Oesophagus

Anemia

Pancreatitis

Liver Failure

Bone Density Problems

Acid Reflux

Infertility and Bulimia Pregnancy Problems

Kidney Infection and Failure

Hypo and Hyperglycaemia

Celebrities Who Have Suffered With Bulimia

The reason I am listing these people here is because young people who might be influenced by their favourite actor or singer, and how they look, might also be influenced in a positive way when these people speak about their own Bulimia, and the devastating effect it has had on their life. They are human, and exactly the same as you and I, and it helps to realise that and see that they make the same mistakes, and need the same help.

Paula Abdul – Singer – Celebrity

Catherine Bell – Actress

Melanie C – Singer – Spice Girls

Russell Brand – Comedian – Actor

Britney Spears – Singer – Celebrity

Geri Haliwell – Singer – Spice Girls

Demi Lovato – Singer

Elton John – Singer – Celebrity

Sharon Osbourne – Celebrity

These are but a few of the people I could have listed, so you can see how big the problem is and how it can effect all kinds of people across the board.

Check out this video on Youtube. It is one of many, and they are heart-breaking to watch. It all seems to come down to a terrible lack of self-esteem, a ferocious desire to be nothing less than perfect, and a desperate attempt to control at least one aspect of a person's life, when everything else seems uncontrollable!

I Have Bulimia. Where Can I Go For help?

First of all; hats off to you for admitting it!! The first step in recovery is admitting that you have a problem, and it is the most difficult! There are many agencies that can help with Bulimia, and Eating Disorders. Your first port of call could be your parents, or your partner if you are older; you can approach your GP who will have information local to your area where you can get help. I have listed a few sites on line in my IndieYAbooks post, but here are some more:

Overeaters Anonymous

http://www.oagb.org.uk/ UnitedKingdom. Tel: 07000 784985

http://www.oa.org/newcomers/ Worldwide Organisation.

This involves a 12 step programme of recovery, the first part of which is 'admitting that your life has become unmanageable' which is what you have already done when you have admitted that you have a problem. There are many meetings of OA and you can find out where they are, speak to another sufferer on the phone, and read valuable literature to help you with your recovery.

Helpguide– Bulimia Nervosa

Signs to look for; symptoms; treatments and help

http://www.helpguide.org/mental/bulimia_signs_symptoms_causes_treatment.htm

Bulimia Self-Help and How it Worked For Me – Part of Eating Disorders Recovery and Help http://www.eatingdisordersrecoverytoday.com/nl/nl_edt_14.html

Young Minds

A brilliant resource where you can find factsheets about Bulimia, support and help from people like you!

Helpline:

http://www.youngminds.org.uk/for_children_young_people/whats_worrying_you/bulimia

Young Minds For Worried Parents

http://www.youngminds.org.uk/for_parents

If your child is showing symptoms of an eating disorder, you can ring Young Minds, and get some advice on the best way to help you to help your child.