Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia, or bulimia nervosa, is an eating disorder characterized by compulsive, secretive overeating or binging followed by purging through vomiting, or other compensatory behaviors. A person who suffers from Bulimia may even purge normal amounts of food with no binging behaviors. Bulimics often abuse laxatives, diet pills and diuretics, or engage in excessive exercise in order to neutralize food intake. Similar to anorexia, bulimia is a psychological illness. Both bulimia and anorexia extend beyond the scope of out-of-control dieting. The cycle of overeating and purging can quickly become an obsession in which one loses control over the behaviors and is unable to stop the cycle.

Bulimia Sign & Symptoms

The depression and guilt bulimics feel afterward a binge force them to go on crash diets, work out excessively, vomit, consume diuretics or laxatives, and resort to other extreme measures to compensate for their bingeing behaviors. If you or your loved one struggles with any of the following symptoms, treatment may be needed:

• Unrestrained eating that may even be painful
• Unstable body weight.
• Evidence of vomiting or laxative use.
• Excessive exercise.
• Hidden food wrappers or hidden food.
• Obsessive thinking and talking about weight, shape, size, appearance, or food.
• Loss of interest in activities and relationships
• Fear of eating in social places or in front of others
• Increased isolation and depressive symptoms
• Relentless pursuit of thinness
• Rituals around body checking, exercise, or food.
• Body dissatisfaction, body image distortion.
• Chewing and spitting as an attempt to control weight
• Taking in excessive amounts of fluid or restricting fluid intake
• Use or abuse of diet pills, herbal supplements, or teas.