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Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by binge eating and purging, or consuming a large amount of food in a short amount of time followed by an attempt to rid oneself of the food consumed (purging), typically by vomiting, taking a laxative or excessive exercise, because of an extensive concern for body weight. Bulimia Nervosa affects women and men of all ages
The term bulimia comes from Greek βουλιμία (boulīmia; ravenous hunger)Bulimia nervosa means disease of hunger affecting the nervous system.Bulimia nervosa was named and first described by the British psychiatrist Gerald Russell in 1979
The incidence of Bulimia Nervosa in the Australian population is 5 in 100. At least two studies have indicated that only about one tenth of the cases of bulimia in the community are detected
True incidence estimated to be 1 in 5 amongst students and women (NEDC)
Based on international data, the lifetime prevalence in females is between .9% and 2.1%, and .1% to 1.1% in males
The onset of Bulimia Nervosa usually occurs between 16 and 18 years of age
It is common for people suffering from bulimia to keep their disorder hidden for 8-10 years, at great cost to their physical and psychological health
During an average binge, you may consume from 3,000 to 5,000 calories in one short hour. Which well exceeds the usual calorie intake eaten in one meal.
Bulimia doesn’t necessarily involve purging—physically eliminating the food from your body by throwing up or using laxatives, enemas, or diuretics. If you make up for your binges by fasting, exercising to excess, or going on crash diets, this also qualifies as bulimia.
Bulimia can become a means of coping with stressful situations, such as an unhappy relationship or a traumatic past event
People with bulimia may have had one or several suicide attempts and there is a high incidence of depression amongst bulimia sufferers
The mortality rate for bulimia nervosa is estimated to be up to 19%
83% of bulimic patients vomit, 33% abuse laxatives, and 10% take diet pills
92% of people with bulimia said that seeking help was entirely their own choice whereas only 19% of people with anorexia agreed
70% of individuals who undertake treatment for Bulimia Nervosa report a significant improvement in their symptoms
What causes bulimia? Bulimia is more than just a problem with food. A binge can be triggered by dieting, stress, or uncomfortable emotions, such as anger or sadness. Purging and other actions to prevent weight gain are ways for people with bulimia to feel more in control of their lives and ease stress and anxiety. There is no single known cause of bulimia, but there are some factors that may play a part;
Culture. Women are under constant pressure to fit a certain ideal of beauty. Seeing images of flawless, thin females everywhere makes it hard for women to feel good about their bodies.
Families. If you have a mother or sister with bulimia, you are more likely to also have bulimia. Parents who think looks are important, diet themselves, or criticize their children's bodies are more likely to have a child with bulimia.
Life changes or stressful events. Traumatic events (like rape), as well as stressful things (like starting a new job), can lead to bulimia.
Personality traits. A person with bulimia may not like themself, hate the way they look, or feel hopeless. They may be very moody, have problems expressing anger, or have a hard time controlling impulsive behaviours.
Biology. Genes, hormones, and chemicals in the brain may be factors in developing bulimia.
The binge and purge cycle 2 1 5 3 4
Dieting triggers bulimia’s destructive cycle of binging and purging. The irony is that the more strict and rigid the diet, the more likely it is that you’ll become preoccupied, even obsessed, with food. When you starve yourself, your body responds with powerful cravings—its way of asking for needed nutrition.
As the tension, hunger, and feelings of deprivation build, the compulsion to eat becomes too powerful to resist: a “forbidden” food is eaten; a dietary rule is broken. With an all-or-nothing mindset, you feel any diet slip-up is a total failure. After having a bite of ice cream, you might think, “I’ve already blown It, so I might as well go all out.”
Unfortunately, the relief that binging brings is extremely short-lived. After it ends, panic sets in and you turn to drastic measures to “undo” the binge, such as taking ex-lax, inducing vomiting, or going for a ten-mile run. And all the while, you feel increasingly out of control.
Unfortunately, purging only reinforces binge eating. Though you may tell yourself, as you launch into a new diet, that this is the last time, in the back of your mind there’s a voice telling you that you can always throw up or use laxatives if you lose control again. What you may not realize is that purging doesn’t come close to wiping the slate clean after a binge.
Binge eating signs and symptoms • Lack of control over eating – Inability to stop eating. Eating until the point of physical discomfort and pain. • Secrecy surrounding eating – Going to the kitchen after everyone else has gone to bed. Going out alone on unexpected food runs. Wanting to eat in privacy. • Eating unusually large amounts of food with no obvious change in weight. • Disappearance of food, numerous empty wrappers or food containers in the garbage, or hidden stashes of junk food. • Alternating between overeating and fasting – Rarely eats normal meals. It’s all-or-nothing when it comes to food.
Purgingsignsand symptoms • Going to the bathroom after meals – Frequently disappears after meals or takes a trip to the bathroom to throw up. May run the water to disguise sounds of vomiting. • Using laxatives, diuretics, or enemas after eating. May also take diet pills to curb appetite or use the sauna to “sweat out” water weight. • Smell of vomit – The bathroom or the person may smell like vomit. They may try to cover up the smell with mouthwash, perfume, air freshener, gum, or mints. • Excessive exercising – Works out strenuously, especially after eating. Typical activities include high-intensity calorie burners such as running or aerobics.
Physical signsand symptoms of bulimia • Calluses or scars on the knuckles or hands from sticking fingers down the throat to induce vomiting. • Puffy “chipmunk” cheeks caused by repeated vomiting. • Discoloured teeth from exposure to stomach acid when throwing up. May look yellow, ragged, or clear. • Not underweight – Men and women with bulimia are usually normal weight or slightly overweight. Being underweight while purging might indicate a purging type of anorexia. • Frequent fluctuations in weight – Weight may fluctuate by 10 pounds or more due to alternating episodes of bingeing and purging.
Your teeth Teeth exposure to stomach acids from vomiting erodes your teeth
Vomiting causes the body to release endorphins, which are natural chemicals that make you feel good. Eventually you may make yourself vomit even if you have not overeaten so that you can feel good. Soon you lose control over the binge-purge cycle. Repeated vomiting, fasting, exercising too much, or misusing laxatives, diuretics, ipecac syrup, or enemas will eventually cause serious, long-term health problems.
