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Bulimia Nervosa : Understanding Eating Disorders

Bulimia nervosa is a psychological eating disorder characterized by repeated episodes of overeating and an obsession with the control of body weight. It is based on the patient’s dissatisfaction with their body image.

While they fear food, they consume it in huge quantities. Binge eating is in response to depression, stress and other feelings related to body weight and shape. Irrational eating brings a feeling of calmness but the self-loathing brought on by overeating soon replaces the short-lived euphoria.

Causes

Bulimia nervosa is usually less about food and more to do with psychological issues and feelings of lack of control.

1. Psychological factors:  

While there is currently no definite known cause, the psychosocial factors may include family disturbance or conflict, sexual abuse, maladaptive learned behavior, the struggle for control or self-identity, cultural overemphasis on physical appearance and parental obesity. Bulimia nervosa is commonly associated with depression, anxiety, phobias and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

2. Cultural factors:  

Eating disorders have historically been a problem found in girls and young women. Seeing images of flawless, thin females everywhere makes women believe that ”thin” is good and that their worth is based on how slim they are.

3. Family factors:

If you have a mother or sister suffering from this condition, you are more likely to suffer from the same. Parents who think looks are important, diet themselves or criticize their children’s bodies are more likely to have a child with bulimia nervosa.  

4. Biological factors:    

Genes, hormones and chemicals in the brain may be factors in developing bulimia nervosa.

Symptoms

Bulimia is associated with a number of physical symptoms. Binge eating by itself rarely causes serious medical complications but it is associated with nausea, abdominal distension and cramping, slowed digestion and weight gain.

Self-induced vomiting, on the other hand, may have severe medical consequences, including:

Other physical symptoms associated include irregular menstrual periods or amenorrhea; petechiae (pinhead-sized bruises from capillaries ruptured by increased pressure due to vomiting) in the skin around the eyes and rectal prolapse (the lowering of the rectum from its usual position).

Also Read: What is Trypophobia: A Deep Dive into the Fear of Holes

Treatment

To manage the binge and purge process, it is extremely essential to seek medical help. The most effective way to get rid of bulimia nervosa is both psychological and medical treatment.

As a possible first step, patients should be encouraged to follow an evidence-based self-help program. As an alternative or additional first step to using an evidence-based self-help program, adults may be offered a trial of an antidepressant. Cognitive behavior therapy should be offered to adults with bulimia nervosa.

Also Read: How to Stop Binge Eating: Research-Based Strategies for Overcoming This Habit

Disclaimer:  The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.

Eating Disorders That Are Eating Away India

What is an Eating Disorder?

An eating disorder is defined as a range of psychological disorders characterized by abnormal or disturbed eating habits (such as anorexia nervosa).

The different kinds of eating disorders include:

  1. Anorexia nervosa
  2. Bulimia nervosa
  3. Binge-eating disorder

There are no precise causes of eating disorders but depression, anxiety, low self-esteem,and substance abuse may lead to it. An eating disorder is common amongst teenage girls and young women and less common in men. This form of psychological disorder is getting more common with time in developing countries. This can be attributed to the advent of technology and the internet and their standard of ‘beauty’.

Anorexia:

This is the most common form of eating disorder that exists predominantly in young women and teenage girls who are vulnerable and extremely self-conscious. Women suffering from anorexia are extremely scared of gaining weight and suffer from extremely low self-esteem. They become obsessed with their weight and outer appearance. This unnatural and harmful psyche leads to Anorexia Nervosa.

If left untreated, Anorexia can lead to organ failure and undernourishment.

Bulimia:

People suffering from Bulimia Nervosa experience phases of binge eating. They often eat copious amounts of food, mostly junk food and then purge. They either vomit or misuse laxatives to throw out every ounce of food that their body consumed. This again is a result of a distorted self-image. They consider themselves fat and are scared of putting on any weight.

The long-term effects of Bulimia can include abnormal heartbeat, bleeding from the oesophagus due to excessive reflux of stomach acid, kidney failure and dental problems too.

Binge Eating:

People who suffer from Binge eating disorder often experience phases of binge eating, like people suffering from Bulimia. However, binge eaters do not exercise or purge after eating and therefore are usually obese. They are extremely sensitive about their self-image and this leads to added stress that makes them eat more. Binge eating, therefore, becomes a vicious cycle of eating, feeling guilty and eating again to feel better. Breaking out of this cycle can be quite challenging. Depression and binge eating often go hand in hand.

The long-term health effects of binge eating are heart diseases, joint pains due to excessive weight, poor blood circulation and other health problems that come knocking with obesity like poor liver functioning and kidney problems too.

Signs and symptoms of eating disorders:

  1. Extreme fear of weight gain
  2. Relentless need for exercise (in case of Anorexia & Bulimia)
  3. An unhealthy obsession with their own body image
  4. Strong focus on body weight. Think of themselves as fat/obese
  5. Starve or adapt unhealthy dieting practices
  6. Count calories obsessively and only allow oneself tiny potions of food
  7. Wear baggy clothes to hide the dramatic weight loss/gain
  8. Suffer from frequent stomach aches
  9. Loss or disturbance in the menstrual cycle
  10. Avoid meal times and social gatherings that will involve food
  11. Social withdrawal from friends, family and society in general
  12. Moodiness, irritability, depression and anxiety
  13. The feeling of being out of control

Treatment, cure and management of Eating Disorders:   

More often than not people suffering from it are ashamed to admit it and live in denial and often go untreated. Eating disorders cannot be cured overnight and there are no prescribed medicines that help with such psychological disorders, however, having said that help is available for those who seek! People suffering from such disorders should seek help from counselors, medical practitioners, dieticians and psychiatrists. Therapy, love and support from family & friends and developing a positive attitude may help deal with eating disorders.

Also Read: How to Stop Binge Eating: Research-Based Strategies for Overcoming This Habit

Disclaimer:  The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.

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