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By Irene Roth There are many faces of male bulimia. Many people don't suspect that adolescent boys are just likely to have bulimia as girls, if they exhibit certain distinct behavioral traits and predispositions. Boys can feel the same vulnerabilities as girls. However, there is more of a danger for adolescent boys with bulimia and anorexia nervosa in that not too many people suspect that boys are also prone to this disease. And because of this, there's not a lot of help available to them. If you know an adolescent boy who may be anorexia or bulimic, you should try and talk to him and get some help. But before you could approach an adolescent boy with the problem, you have to know some of the warning signs.
1. Does he have a low self-image? This is usually exhibited by a constant
physical vulnerability and futile comparisons with others. He always feels
inept and fat and/or ugly. Everyone else looks great.
2. Is he obsessed with his appearance? Bulimic boys tend to constantly look at themselves in the mirror. They can't pass a mirror without looking at themselves over and over from every angle. Then they harshly criticize what they. 3. Does he exhibit a loss of control over his eating behaviours? If your friend doesn't eat much at a meal, or disappears to the bathroom right after eating, this can be a sign that he has bulimia. Try offering him unconditional love and acceptance. 4. Does he regularly engage in self-induced vomiting or use laxatives or diuretics? Many bulimic boys will use laxatives or diuretics to look slimmer. Others will vomit after meals. If you discover your friend is doing this regularly, talk to a trusted adult about it. 5. Does he engage in strict dieting habits or fasting, or rigorous exercise? If your friend is always on a diet or is fasting for no apparent reason very often, or most times, he's probably bulimic. Also, if he's always in the gym that could signal problems as well. 6. Is he always over-concerned or obsessed with his body shape and weight? Many bulimic boys always compare themselves to others and constantly complain that they are overweight. If you know someone like this, try to kindly convince them that they look great just as they are right now. 7. Does he engage in two binge eating episodes in a week for 3 or more months in a row? Bulimic boys gorge themselves and then go to the bathroom and purge. Most times, these episodes take place right after meals. And boys will have a lot of different excuses for this kind of behaviour. Some of these may be: "I must have eaten something rotten or stale", "I think I have the flu", "That meal didn't agree with me", and so on. If you answered yes to most of the above questions, the adolescent boy in question may be bulimic. Try and talk to your guidance counsellor, a teacher, or another adult that you trust about how you can help this boy. You may want to even befriend him yourself and develop a relationship of trust and respect with him. That will help him feel less afraid and alone.
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