It is important to seek medical help as soon as possible because some of these problems, if left untreated, may not improve when the person recovers from anorexia. Sometimes people die of the condition. Bulimia Like anorexia, bulimia develops from an obsessive desire to be thin. For example, people who develop them may have been abused as children, or have been in other painful relationships, and see the destructive eating pattern as a way of gaining control over their lives. Compulsive eating Compulsive eaters differ from people with bulimia in that, after binge eating, they do not try to get rid of what they have eaten.
Health problems can develop as a result of carrying too much weight.
If you are experiencing eating distress or suspect that someone you know has a problem, the first thing to do is talk about it. Opening up to someone is a huge step forward. If you decide you would like to seek professional help, your GP can help you adjust to a healthier way of eating and refer you to more specialist services that will help deal with underlying problems such as low self-esteem. If you have been fasting, you will need to start by eating small portions of easily digested food until your system learns to cope. Admission to a hospital or specialist clinic will help your recovery if you are very weak.