Laxative addiction is a common disordered behaviour in anorexics, bulimics and people with OSFED, but is almost never talked about by anyone besides the sufferers, and even then it is seen as embarrassing, taboo or something to be ashamed of.
With the agonising side effects of lax addiction, and sometimes even permanent damage that can be caused by using and abusing laxatives, it is incredibly important that this isn't always seen as an embarrassment. Eating disorders isolate sufferers so much, so it is important to be able to talk about every aspect of these disorders, especially such agonising ones.
The assumption in people with eating disorders that also abuse laxatives is that it is used to help with weight loss, when the reality is so much different. Yes, we know it doesn't get rid of calories or burn fat, it's obvious, it's science.
Some people use it as punishment, a lot of people use it because of the 'empty feeling' that is so often talked about, some even use it because they simply aren't eating enough to be able to 'go' without them. But no matter why people with eating disorders are using them, it needs to be talked about, and not just between sufferers.
I am in no way saying nobody should be able to take them, especially as in most cases, laxatives are used by people who need them, not for an empty feeling or as punishment, but just for relief. But laxative addiction is real, and dangerous.
It is hard for sufferers to open up about such a grim aspect of their eating disorder, but it's so important to talk about. When speaking to other sufferers of eating disorders combined with laxative abuse problems, I realised that the dangers aren't a one-off from taking too many, it's closer to an agonising ritual with ugly consequences.
"I've been abusing laxatives for about the past year or so, living in the USA it is easy to buy hundreds of laxatives at a time, no questions asked. At the height of my addiction I was taking up to one hundred at a time. Even just slightly over the recommended dose, I get cold sweats, blurred vision, inability to walk. There have been times where I've passed out from the pain and woken up in a puddle of my own sick and 'mess' on the bathroom floor. Just like any part of an eating disorder, it's not pretty," one sufferer said.
And others found it a relatable experience. The uncomfortable stomach sounds, agonising cramps, blacking out from the pain and dehydration. Heart palpitations, hospitalisation, vomiting from cramps, and so much more. For me and so many others, this is the most physically painful part of eating disorders, but there's just no way to mention it.
"When I finally felt able to open up to my therapist about my laxative abuse problems, it was met with 'well it doesn't make you lose weight, so you should stop' and that was it. Three weeks later I was hospitalised for a lax overdose," said Alice, 17.
Just like purging and heavy intake restriction, laxative addiction is just as dangerous and awareness of the situation and reality of abuse is just as important, simply because of the pain and permanent damage it can cause, and the misery addiction brings to people.
Serious and/or prolonged laxative abuse can also cause permanent damage and life-threatening problems. Fatal electrolyte imbalances and heart attacks, hospitalisation from overdose too. Not to mention the embarrassing and ugly consequences, like the panic of the laxatives kicking in at the wrong time, or permanent damage like a lazy colon, IBS, and sometimes even colon cancer.
As embarrassing as it is, laxative abuse in ED sufferers desperately needs to be talked about. It shouldn't be embarrassing, it is simply just another disordered addiction, the same as calorie restriction and fasting. It is dangerous, miserable and misunderstood.
Just the same as a lot of pharmaceutical drugs, for the most part it is used safely and helps people, but it is too easy for vulnerable people to get hold of. And for those people, the consequences can be life destroying.
Nobody should have to suffer in silent agony.
Comments
Post a Comment