Those with bulimia nervosa may engage in other purging behaviors, such as self-induced vomiting or compulsive exercising, as well as laxative abuse. If the person is hospitalized, they will receive the appropriate medical treatment for whatever health liberty cap lookalikes complications they may be experiencing. For example, if they are dehydrated and have an electrolyte imbalance, then the medical team will rehydrate the patient via intravenous fluids and electrolyte replacement. Or, if they have a colon infection, the team will administer antibiotics to clear up the infection.
Dependence
- Both conditions can lead to dangerous health consequences and require professional treatment.
- Dehydration can also cause constipation, further exacerbating laxative dependence.
- In addition to purging with laxatives, a person with BN may misuse diuretics (“water pills”), exercise excessively, fast regularly, or engage in self-induced vomiting.
- If you or someone you love is engaging in laxative abuse, it is important to get help as soon as possible.
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) issued by the APA, BN is characterized by the misuse of laxatives to “purge” after an eating binge. To meet the diagnostic criteria for BN, a person must engage in the binge-purge cycle at least once weekly for three months or more. Laxative overdose occurs when someone takes more than the normal or recommended amount of this medicine. Take this quiz to help you decide whether or not you need to seek professional advice or treatment for an eating disorder. Continue reading to learn more about laxative misuse, including the consequences and how to find help. Not only do these symptoms cause physical injury and physical dysfunction, but the pressure to be thin (and concerned family members) can complicate matters even more.
What Is Laxative Abuse?
Note that in many cases, people with laxative bulimia will have publicly normal eating or bathroom habits and binge and purge in private. Stopping a laxative use disorder can be difficult to do at home or alone. If you are struggling to stop abusing laxatives, and have experienced a traumatic experience, you may need a hands-on approach to treatment. Jocelyn Moyet is a licensed mental health counselor in the state of Florida and a licensed psychologist in Puerto Rico with 11 years of clinical experience. Jocelyn helps people from the Hispanic / Latinx community find balance and work through processing life experiences in a sensitive manner incorporating cultural factors into therapy services. Over time, excessive laxative use can make constipation worse rather than better.
Some people who abuse laxatives do so out of a necessity to relieve constipation or gas but then become overly dependent on laxatives. If an eating disorder has been diagnosed, then the medical team will refer the patient to eating disorder treatment, once their health complications have been resolved. Taking laxatives to improve bowel motility and alleviate constipation, as needed and according to the recommended doses, is usually harmless. However, when taken over long periods of time, laxatives have the potential for misuse, abuse, and dependence. Laxatives are commonly taken to help loosen the bowels for constipation.
Your healthcare provider can refer you to a psychiatrist or therapist who specializes in treating eating disorders. Laxatives (especially stimulant laxatives) not only affect the way the large intestine works but also other organs that interact with the digestive tract. In order to compensate for the increased gut motility, these organs have to work overtime to keep up.
Topiramate for weight loss (Topamax)
In fact, the Journal of Eating Disorders reports that up to 75% of patients with anorexia nervosa, binge-purging subtype (AN-BP), and bulimia nervosa frequently abuse laxatives with the hope of purging their food. According to the National Eating Disorders Association, it’s also possible to develop laxative dependency from overuse. Treatment for laxative abuse typically involves a combination of medical, psychological, and nutritional interventions. Some individuals with eating disorders require inpatient or outpatient treatment. Laxatives are a common over-the-counter medication often used to treat constipation.
Entering eating disorder treatment
In more severe cases, long-term laxative abuse can lead to intestinal paralysis, pancreatitis, cathartic colon, and irritable bowel syndrome(IBS). Aside from believing that laxatives will help the individual lose weight, laxatives are also sometimes used as a method of self-punishment or self-harm. Amanda Stevens is a highly respected figure in the field of medical content writing, with a specific focus on eating disorders and addiction treatment. Amanda earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work from Purdue University, graduating Magna Cum Laude, which serves as a strong educational foundation for her contributions.
While they make money off of what to do if you have been roofied endorsing products they likely do not use, the average consumer is spending hard-earned money on products thinking that they will revolutionize their body weight and shape when they won’t. It is important to understand the reality of the impact of laxatives to avoid using them improperly and dangerously. Laxatives are a convenient solution for addressing occasional constipation or related discomfort.
Depression, anxiety, low self-worth, shame, isolation, and cycles of restriction, binging, and purging are common among eating-disordered individuals who also abuse laxatives. While laxative abuse can be a serious problem on its own, there may be a activities for substance abuse groups disordered eating problem that needs to be dealt with, too. If you recognize that you’re participating in abnormal eating habits or aren’t using laxatives in the prescribed way, it’s important to speak with a healthcare provider as soon as possible or with someone you trust.