Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by episodes of binging on food followed by attempts to compensate for the overeating in some way. This mental illness is most commonly seen in young women and appears to be more frequent in white, middle class women although people of all genders, ages, races, and social classes can develop the disorder. If it is not treated, this condition can lead to serious complications, including death.
Also known simply as bulimia, this condition can be accompanied with other mental illnesses such as depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, or anxiety. The patient usually expresses dissatisfaction with body weight and type. Because patients with this disorder typically remain of normal weight or slightly overweight, they can be difficult to identify until advanced symptoms of bulimia start to develop.
Binging behavior for patients with bulimia nervosa can feel out of control. The patient may eat until physical pain occurs and usually patients are not very discriminating during a binge. They will eat whatever is available, even if it makes them feel ill. Binging is often done secretively out of shame.
The way in which patients compensate for a binge falls into two categories. In purging bulimia nervosa, the patient follows a binge with vomiting, laxatives, or diuretics in an attempt to eliminate the excess calories. In non-purging bulimia nervosa, patients use other measures to compensate for the binge. They may fast to make up for the calorie intake or they may exercise. Patients can injure themselves by exercising too hard or too long.
Binge eating can be verified with the following symptoms:
Overindulgence in eating – to the point of pain or physical discomfort
Concealment of eating – going out for unexpected eating or eating in privacy
Eating large amounts of food but with no changes in weight
Food disappearances
Sporadic eating and fasting
Purging symptoms would include:
Heading for the bathroom after every meal
Use of laxatives, enemas or diuretics
Stench of vomit
Too much exercising
Bulimia may be considered if the following signs are seen:
Irregular body weight (increases then suddenly decreases)
Constipation or diarrhea
Abdominal pain or bloating
Dehydration
Halitosis
Mouth sores
Irregular menstruation
Damaged tooth enamel
Frequent sore throat
Depression
Negative body image perception
Swollen mandibular salivary glands
Arrhythmias
Sores or calluses on hands or knuckles
Anxiety
Gastroesophageal reflux disorder
If someone you know or love is struggling with this disease, these bulimia tips may help you to help them. Early signs will include rapid loss of body mass, frequent visits to the privacy of a bathroom or outdoors, especially during meals, and a lessened appetite. If you have noticed any of these behaviors, it may not be a bad idea to make some research. This disease, once taken hold, is all encompassing and devastating. Better help early than late.
Bulimia tips come in many categories, from the description of possible signs and detection, to the support and emotional strength it will take in order for a victim to make a full recovery after diagnosis. The physical repercussions of this disease can be life threatening, the most severe of which include cardiac arrest due to acute dehydration, serious damage to the bowels as a result of laxative abuse, tears and bleeding of the esophagus because of the swelling caused, and many horrible tooth decay and enamel problems. The malnourishment alone can cause death, and low blood pressure causes the victim to faint and lose consciousness.
During treatment, these bulimia tips may help you to be supportive and helpful throughout the recovery process. The binge and purge reflex is a strong one, and takes a long time to dissipate. Recovery is viewed as a permanent, lifelong change in behavior. Psychological and medical treatment coincide, and are both extremely imperative if the victim is to move forward normally. The chemical that this victim has become addicted to is available within them at all times, and at their command. This as an almost unthinkable temptation, one that pulls and haunts the victim much as the bottle haunts the alcoholic.
In cases where substance abuse has not been an issue prior to the diagnosis of bulimia, antidepressants, such as Prozac, are administered in an attempt to curb some of the emotional and psychological trauma that entails diagnosis. A great fear is the increased possibility of suicide attempts in bulimia victims. The guilt and shame of their disease can feel overwhelming, and they may feel that there are few options aside form this permanent one. If you have fear that a recovering bulimic you know may be contemplating suicide, it is most urgent that you intervene in any way possible. Remember, this disease is a powerful and cunning one. It is disease and addiction which cause these behaviors, and the fight for control is an immense and difficult one which most likely cannot be won alone.
Treatment for bulimia involves psychological counseling and sometimes medicines such as antidepressants. Treatment does not usually require staying in the hospital, although this is sometimes needed. Both professional counseling and antidepressant medicine can help reduce episodes of binging and purging and help you recover from bulimia. Both are long-term treatments that may require weeks or months before you notice significant results. You may need treatment with counseling and possibly medicines for more than a year.
Bulimia that occurs with another condition may take longer to treat. And you may need more than one type of treatment. If you have another condition that commonly occurs with bulimia, such as depression or substance abuse, your doctor may want to treat that condition first.
People who seek treatment for bulimia or another eating disorder may have other health problems caused by the disorder. If you have had bulimia for a long time without treatment, or if you have used substances such as laxatives, diuretics, or ipecac syrup to purge, then you may have a health problem such as dehydration that needs treatment first. In serious cases, these conditions related to bulimia may require you to spend time in the hospital.
Initial treatment depends how severe the bulimia is and how long you have had it.
If you have no other conditions that need treatment first, then treatment for bulimia usually consists of:
Psychological counseling, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). This often includes nutritional counseling to change certain behavior and thinking patterns. The goals of CBT are to teach you to:
Eat three meals and two snacks a day and avoid unhealthy diets.
Reduce concern about your body weight and shape.
Understand and reduce triggers of binge eating by examining your relationships and emotions.
Develop a plan to learn proper coping skills to prevent future relapses.
Medicines. Antidepressants, such as fluoxetine (Prozac, for example), are sometimes used to reduce binge-purge cycles and relieve symptoms of depression that often occur along with eating disorders.
Continuing treatment will depend on how long you have had bulimia and how severe it is. Continuing treatment usually consists of:
Psychological counseling, such as interpersonal therapy (IT) or cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). The goals of CBT are to teach you to:
Eat three meals and two snacks a day and avoid unhealthy diets.
Reduce concern about your body weight and shape.
Understand and reduce triggers of binge eating by examining your personal relationships and emotions.
Develop a plan to learn proper coping skills to prevent future relapses.
Antidepressant medicines. Antidepressants can help lower the number of binge-purge cycles you have and may also be used to treat another related condition, such as depression or anxiety.
If you develop other health problems such as dehydration or an esophageal tear because of bulimia, you may need to stay in the hospital or in an eating disorder treatment facility.
Sometimes people with bulimia get discouraged because recovery can take a long time and relapse is common. If you or the person with bulimia feels very discouraged or feels suicidal, call a doctor or other health professional immediately to get help.
Treatment with an antidepressant medicine alone may not be enough. The most effective treatment for bulimia may be a combination of psychological counseling and antidepressants.
Eating disorders are difficult to treat. Recovery may take months to years. The sooner treatment begins, the better the chance for a full recovery.
Unfortunately, many people don't seek treatment for mental health problems. You may not seek treatment because you think the symptoms are not bad enough or that you can work things out on your own. But getting treatment is important.
If you need help deciding whether to see your doctor, read about some reasons why people don't get help and how to overcome them.