Can I overcome bulimia on my own?
in Psychology & Therapy ·
Robert Gray3 said:Hey... I posted on this thread a few months back. Starting a new one because I haven't seen any recent discussions about eating disorders—specifically bulimia.
So, I went looking for professional help today regarding the bulimia. Since I’m already on antidepressants for depression (which is actually stable right now, but then the bulimia kicked in), my doctor bumped up my dosage. He claims it'll help curb the urge to purge. Does anyone know if antidepressants actually help even a little bit with bulimia?
The other thing on my mind... assuming the meds do provide some relief, has anyone actually managed to pull themselves out of this on their own? My doctor is insisting on formal treatment, which involves an intensive outpatient program where I'd be in a clinic for 8 hours every single day. That basically means taking medical leave. How am I supposed to handle that at work? There's no way I'm telling my boss I need sick leave because of bulimia.
Plus, there’s a chance I might switch to a better job soon, so how do you even take immediate medical leave at a brand-new gig? I know everyone's gonna say "health comes first," but is there seriously no alternative to these all-day group therapy sessions? I asked my doctor, and he just said no.
I don't want to scare you with what I'm about to say, but I feel like I should share this for perspective. I had a best friend who hid her struggle with bulimia, and because of the long-term mental toll it took, she ended up taking her own life. We didn't find out the truth until a few months later.
The standard approach for treating bulimia usually involves medications like Prozac or Zyprexa. You really do need to seek treatment. I’ve heard that the medical staff at the Mayo Clinic is among the best and most comprehensive out there. It might be worth trying to get into a day program. Whatever you decide, I truly wish you the best. Just don't expect constant support from everyone around you or even from psychiatrists; unfortunately, eating disorders are so much more complex than they seem, and they have very little to do with food itself.