DIURETIC ABUSE

Diuretics are also known as “water pills.” So, with a name like that, that’s exactly what they do! They rid your body of fluids, increasing the frequency of how often you need to pass urine and removing all that energizing water and salts from your body.

In eating disorders, diuretic abuse is a form of purging. Like laxative abuse, my clients believe that taking “water tablets” will rid their body of the foods and calories after a binge, making them feel thinner until they start to rehydrate their body. Then they’re back to where they started.

If you’re taking diuretics, the body can start to hold on to water, which, in turn, will cause you to gain water weight.

Some side effects of diuretic abuse include:

• Muscle cramps/weakness
• Fainting, dizziness, headaches, and confusion
• Nausea
• Risk of seizures
• Irregular heartbeat
• Very low blood pressure
• Extreme thirst
• Constipation
• Joint disorders (gout)
• Impotence
• Kidney damage
• Electrolyte imbalances
• Edema (swelling in certain parts of the body)

It all comes back to your thoughts and feelings that drive this behavior.

Complete the DIURETICS CAUSES & NEW COPING STRATEGIES table below or grab your notebook and complete this list of your thoughts and feelings that cause your behavior of taking diuretics. Now is the time to challenge these. Once you have your list, then create new powerful positive coping strategies.

DIURETICS CAUSES & NEW COPING STRATEGIES:

THE CAUSES                                                     NEW COPING STRATEGIES

Now is the time to stop, stop, stop taking these water tablets; they’re severely harming your body.