What is Bulimia?
Bulimia is characterized by episodes of binge-eating followed by inappropriate methods of weight control (purging).
A binge is an episode where an individual eats a much larger amount of food than most people would in a similar situation. Binge eating is not a response to intense hunger. It is usually a response to depression, stress, or self esteem issues. During the binge episode, the individual experiences a loss of control. However, the sense of a loss of control is also followed by a short-lived calmness. The calmness is often followed by self-loathing. The cycle of overeating and purging usually becomes an obsession and is repeated often.
People with bulimia can look perfectly normal. Most of them are of normal weight, and some may be overweight.
What is Financial Bulimia?
Episodes of binge–spending followed by inappropriate methods of financial control (purging - living without basic necessities)
A Binge is an episode where an individual spends a much larger amount of money than their means will allow. It isn’t always in response to a need but rather to depression, stress, or self- esteem issue. During a Binge-spending episode, the individual may feel a false sense of control and power. This false sense of control or power is followed by a short state of euphoria. And the euphoria is followed by regret, self-loathing and guilt. The spending and purging usually becomes a cycle that repeats and leads to more depression as the financial outlook takes on a bleaker look unless the cycle is stopped.
Most people with financial bulimia look perfectly normal; most of them look like your neighbors on your street or at your job.
A possible scenario may go like this - bills come in on purchases, min. payment is made and in order to have money left over for food or gas the individual may eat one meal a day, rarely use utilities in extreme weather or sell off items in their house that they normally wouldn’t part with. When the paycheck comes in they may see a flood of money and start buying more items or applying for more credit cards and spend money to alleviate their feelings of inadequecy. This sends them in a vicious cycle of spending, ‘starving’ and spending some more, digging themselves deeper into debt and more anxiety.
A change in habit will take time, and the greatest kick in the pants to change will come from our own head and heart, the willingness to change and courage to stand back up even when struck in the face with the reality of the financial dilemna.
There are some ways to ‘detox’ your way out.
Just as fasting and drinking only water has a detoxification on your system. A non-spending day may also. But plan these; more often in one a week doesn’t make you more virtuous. Keep it in moderation, pick a day ahead of time and stick to it, for instance, every Saturday for the month. This allows you to take control of your will-power slowly instead of being lead by the nose.
Talking finances with others isn’t a great taboo, but you never know who is going through the same thing you are, so find a buddy to help you out, to talk to when you want to go shopping, to bring you down to earth when you feel the extremes are taking control of you; If you don’t have someone to talk to, write in a journal, whether with pen and paper or online as an anonymous person. Talk about why you want to buy, what were you going through at the time that made you want to give in to one of the extremes.
Instead of the extremes of eating once a day or never using the heat in the winter, try some moderation over the long haul of eating smaller meals when times are good or keeping the house at the same semi-low temperature even when you know you will have the money to pay the bills.
Most importantly learn to say “no” to yourself and to others. Start with small things, let no excuse get by. Walk away from the situation, change the topic, or distract yourself with something else. Ultimately saying no to some things will allow you to say yes to those things that are important to you, such as holidays and birthdays.
Dawn Cadwell continues to live a frugal, simple life as much as possible, learning as she goes. Frugalforlife is a free resource to those in need,curious or just looking for a few tips. Thank you for your time. Copyright © – Dawn Cadwell. All rights reserved. E-mail notice of intent to publish is appreciated but not required: Frugalforlife(at)Gmail(dot)com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dawn_Cadwell
No comments:
Post a Comment