Bulimia Nervosa

What is Bulimia Nervosa?

Bulimia nervosa is an illness of repetitive binge eating, in which a person feels a loss of control of normal eating, consumes extreme amounts of food, and then attempts to counteract the effects of doing so by inducing vomiting; taking large amounts of diet pills, laxatives or diuretics; exercising in an extreme manner; or fasting for extended periods.

Among its unique aspects:

• Usual time of onset is age 15 to 25
• Affects an estimated 1-2% of adolescent girls and young women
• Approximately 80% of patients with bulimia nervosa are female
• People with bulimia nervosa are typically of normal weight
• Can cause electrolyte imbalances that can lead to cardiac irregularities and possibly heart failure and death
• Frequently associated with attempts at weight loss
• Often accompanied by feelings of shame and low self-regard

Risk factors:

• Often linked to history of being overweight or teasing about weight
• Can be preceded by low self-regard
• History of marked stress or trauma

Warning signs:

• Frequent use of bathroom immediately after meals
• Showering after meals
• Large quantities of food missing from kitchen, or presence of wrappers and food containers indicating consumption of large quantities of food
• Extreme mood instability
• Swelling of glands around the jaw
• Apparent bruising or calluses on back of hands or knuckles
• Excessive preoccupation with weight and appearance