| Eating Disorders |
| Bulimia |
| What is bulimia? |
| Symptoms of bulimia |
| What is bulimia? |
| Bulimia (or bulimia nervosa which is the medical name) is when you repeatedly have huge bingeing session and a fixation over control of your body weight. Studies have shown that up to 1% of the population of the UK (that's around 600,000 people) suffer from bulimia at some point in their lives, and this could be an under estimate. Like anorexia it is all about gaining control over eating, because of shit happening else where in your life. Unlike anorexia, most bulimics maintain a normal body weight, but they do suffer with low self esteem. |
| Symptoms of bulimia |
| According to the World Health Organisation the symptoms are; * Persistant preoccupation with eating and an irresitable craving for food * Episodes of overeating in which large amounts of food are consumed in short periods of time. * Excessive exercise * Induced vomiting after eating * Starving for periods of time * Taking drugs such as laxatives or diuretics to counteract the bingeing * Fear of obesity |
| Causes |
| Causes |
| The exact cause of bulimia is unknown. But your social environment is important, as is the cultural pressure of achieveing body beautiful. |
| What people with bulimia can do to help themselves |
| What people with bulimia can do to help themselves |
| * The first and most important thing is to recognise that you are suffering with bulimia. * Seek help from your GP * There are lots of self-help books available, which you could buy or borrow from the library. |
| Treatment |
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