BULIMIA NERVOSA

Bulimia is generally considered similar to anorexia, and in a way, it is. Bulimia is more common that anorexia, but harder to detect. You need to realize the differences between these eating disorders.

 

What is Bulimia?


Bulimia is a pattern of binge eating (excessive eating) and purging (vomiting) that happens over and over again. When a victim eats an excessive amount of food that are very rich and high in sugars and fats, it is almost always in secret. The victim knows that the behaviour is not normal, and the victim feels guilty. The bulimic is afraid of not being able to stop. Purging includes vomiting, using overdoses of laxatives and diuretics (drugs that remove water from the body), or fasting (going without food for several days, or very little for several weeks.) Because of these actions, the bulimic's weight may often change dramatically. (Wolhart, pg. 6)

 

What is a bulimic like?


Bulimics commonly set high goals for themselves, just like anorectics. They feel they are failures if they are anything less than perfect. Families and friends are often confused when a loved one developes an eating disorder. Usually the bulimic is a very good student who seems to have few problems. Yet, these seemingly "perfect" young people often have a very low self-esteem, and want to please others. They also depend on other people to make them feel good about themselves. (Wolhart, pg. 9)

 

What are some symptoms of bulimia?


The symptoms of bulimia nervosa are different from anorexia nervosa. The patient binges and then purges. When a bulimic binges, it is usually on huge quantities of high-caloric food. These binges may alternate with severe diets, resulting in dramatic fluctuations in weight. The bulimic then purges her body of these calories by self-induced vomiting and often by using laxatives. Teenagers may also try to hide the signs of throwing up by running water while spending an extended period of time in the bathroom. The purging of bulimia presents a serious threat to the patient's physical health, including dehydration, hormonal imbalance, the depletion of important minerals, and damage to vital organs. (Eating Disorders)

 

Who does it commonly occur to?


Bulimia is not as obvious as anorexia because of the secrecy the patient usually uses, but is actually more common. It effects at least 3 percent to 10 prcent of adolescent and college-age women in the United States. Approximately 10 percent of identified bulimic patients are men. Bulimics are also susceptible to other compulsions, affective disorders, of addictions. In the long run, bulimics have slightly better chance at recovering from the disorder than anorectics. However, many bulimics continue to retain slightly abnormal eating and dieting habits even after the recovery period. (MedicineNet's Bulimia Page)

 

How can I get help as a bulimic?


ANAD (National Association for Anorexia Nerosa and Associated Disorders) in Highland Park, Illinois, has given the following advice for individuals who think that they might be either anorectic or bulimic:

A few sources are listed below. I have also gathered other links on the internet.

Alberti, Robert E., and Micahel L. Emmons. Your Perfect Right. San Luis Obispo, Calif.: Impact, 1970-74.
Butler, Pamela E. Self-Assertion for Women. New York: Harper & Row, 1981. Stanlee, Phelps, and Nancy Austin. The Assertive Woman. San Luis Obispo, Calif.: Impact, 1975.


Back to the Main Page