Bulimia Nervosa Treatments

Bulimia Nervosa Symptoms, Signs and Treatments

What is Bulimia Nervosa?

Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder involving recurrent episodes of binge eating (rapid consumption of food in one sitting) almost always followed by purging (eliminating the food from the body). Purging can include:

• Vomiting
• Diuretic abuse
• Laxative abuse
• Compulsive exercising
• Fasting

The person with bulimia generally experiences great feelings of guilt and shame after a bingeing and purging episode. This widespread eating disorder affects both women and men, and up to 20% of college women in the United States.

People with bulimia cope with psychological problems by engaging in self-destructive eating behaviors. They are obsessed with food and weight, yet feel out of control and recognize the abnormality of their behaviors.

Someone with bulimia may also have a distorted body image, shown by thinking she or he is fat, hating her or his body, and fearing weight gain. Bulimia can also cause someone to not act like her or himself. She or he may be moody or sad, or may not want to go out with friends, resulting in isolation.

Who Develops Anorexia Nervosa?

While anorexia nervosa can affect men and women of all ages, it is most prominent in adolescent girls. In fact, research has shown that as many as 1% of teenage girls develop anorexia. Unfortunately, teenage boys are also developing anorexia in greater and greater numbers.

Adolescent girls can be particularly sensitive to media images that portray women as extremely, often dangerously, thin. Thin celebrities and models are often depicted as beautiful and successful; the type of women that young girls want to emulate.

During puberty, girls’ bodies change dramatically. Their percentage of body fat increases almost 100% during this time, normally depositing on the stomach, hips and legs. Girls may view this type of healthy, normal body development as being "overweight," causing them to use dieting to control their weight. Unfortunately some girls become obsessed with losing weight and mastering control of their bodies. Eventually their "diet" turns into an eating disorder.

Bulimia in Boys

While boys are less likely than girls to consider themselves overweight, they may also want to control their bodies. Males with bulimia often started to diet as a means to an end – to avoid being teased or to improve athletic performance. As with girls, the dieting develops into a dangerous eating disorder.

Bulimia Nervosa Symptoms and Signs

While you can't tell by looking at someone if they have bulimia – they may be underweight, normal weight or even slightly overweight, the following bulimia symptoms and signs may indicate someone has bulimia:

• Binges or eats uncontrollably
• Purges by vomiting, fasting, excessive exercise, laxative or diuretic abuse
• Uses the bathroom frequently after meals
• Is preoccupied with body weight
• Mood swings
• Heartburn
• Irregular periods in women
• Swollen glands in neck and face
• Bloodshot eyes
• Sore throat
• Dental problems
• Vomiting blood
• Indigestion
• Exhaustion

Complications Related To Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia has many serious, possibly life-threatening complications. The type of complications are dependent on what type of purging method has been used.

Bulimia complications include:

• Cardiovascular problems. Electrolyte abnormalities or use of syrup of ipecac to induce vomiting can lead to life-threatening heart muscle disorders and irregular heart rhythms.
• Low blood pressure and fainting.
• Dental problems. During vomiting, stomach acid washes over teeth and gums. Repeated vomiting can cause a significant and permanent loss of dental enamel. The person may have more cavities and teeth may become chipped and/or ragged.
• Mouth or throat sores caused by frequent vomiting. Bleeding may occur.
• Low potassium levels. Purging can dehydrate the body and lower blood potassium levels causing weakness and irregular heart rhythms.
• Digestive problems. Excessive vomiting or laxative use may irritate the walls of the esophagus and rectum. In severe cases, rupture of the esophagus may occur, leading to life-threatening bleeding. Repeated purging may also cause constipation. Abusing laxatives often leads to dependence – the person will not be able to have normal bowel movements. Gastrointestinal bleeding also may occur.
• Abuse of medications and drugs. Purging may involve abuse of laxatives, diuretics, appetite suppressants and ipecac, a drug that induces vomiting. People with bulimia have higher rates of alcohol abuse and drug abuse.

Bulimia Nervosa Treatments

All bulimia nervosa treatments are slightly different, based on various treatment philosophies and the personal needs of the patient. The key to finding the right treatment is to match the individual’s needs with the specific services offered. This can become an overwhelming process for many. If you require assistance in locating bulimia nervosa treatments that meet your eating disorder needs, please call the national eating disorders helpline at 1-800-542-4610.

Bulimia nervosa treatments are usually provided in a residential setting where medical, as well as, psychiatric and therapeutic services can be provided. Any bulimia treatment program should be licensed in the state it is providing the eating disorder services and accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospital Organizations. Recovering from bulimia takes time. Look for bulimia nervosa treatment centers that have the ability to provide treatment for more than just a few weeks. In many cases, people with bulimia may require several months of eating disorder treatment.