Kerrie Zhuge
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Bulimia
The bulimic cycle typically begins with binge eating, where an individual feels completely out of control, consuming large amounts of food in a short time. This is often followed by intense regret and a fear of weight gain, especially among women. In response, many resort to extreme measures such as self-induced vomiting, severe calorie restriction, or obsessive exercise to compensate. This cycle becomes self-perpetuating and extremely difficult to escape, leading to long-term physical and emotional harm.
In addressing this project, I aim not only to share my story but also to shed light on the broader social and psychological factors that contribute to bulimia. By opening up this conversation, I hope to encourage greater empathy, reduce stigma, and advocate for early intervention and support systems for those struggling with this often-hidden condition.
This project uses animal metaphors to explore the stages and effects of bulimia, highlighting the physical and emotional toll it takes on patients. Each metaphor reflects a different phase of the disorder, drawing parallels to the dietary habits or survival mechanisms of animals to better understand the behaviors and consequences of bulimia.
1.Gastric Valgus of the Frog
This piece uses the frog as a metaphor to illustrate the most excruciating stage of bulimia. When a frog ingests something poisonous, it physically ejects its stomach to clean it, a desperate survival mechanism. Similarly, patients with bulimia helplessly induce vomiting in an attempt to mitigate the perceived damage caused by overeating. This painful and extreme act highlights the physical and emotional toll of the disorder, mirroring the frog’s desperate effort to survive.
2.Insensitive Salamander:
In the initial phase, academic pressure can push individuals into unhealthy eating patterns, such as eating infrequently to prioritize work or studies. This mirrors the cave salamander, which can survive prolonged fasting but risks overeating to restore lost energy, initiating the destructive cycle.
3.Desensitized Goldfish:
The early stage of bulimia reflects the goldfish’s dull sense of satiety, where patients continue eating without realizing they are full. This lack of awareness leads to overeating, driven by emotional or physiological disconnection.
4.Tasmanian Devils:
In the middle stage, bulimia patients exhibit an uncontrolled, almost ravenous appetite, similar to the Tasmanian devil, which devours food intemperately, even while enduring physical discomfort. This stage represents the intense and chaotic consumption that defines this phase of the disorder.
5.Gluttonous Bear:
Drawing inspiration from the “Fat Bear Week” contest, this metaphor portrays patients in a state of endless consumption, akin to bears preparing for hibernation. The excessive intake during this phase reflects the compulsion to eat despite no biological necessity.
6.Exhausted Camels:
At this stage, patients resemble camels that have depleted the fat reserves in their humps, symbolizing the exhaustion and depletion that returns them to the starting point of the cycle. Energy is wasted, and the body begins to deteriorate under the strain of repetition.
7.Drained Whales:
In the final stage, patients are likened to whales whose bodies explode due to the buildup of decayed gas. This metaphor captures the physical breaking point of bulimia, where the body is pushed beyond its limits, leading to catastrophic consequences.
Last Warning Before Surfeiting
I hope to foster understanding and inclusivity toward those suffering from bulimia by shedding light on their experiences. For the final presentation, I created eight plates, each representing different stages of the vicious cycle faced by bulimia patients. The round table symbolizes the endless and repetitive nature of this struggle, serving as a poignant reminder of the challenges they endure.