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Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia Nervosa is a condition characterized by binge eating followed by extreme measures
to undo the binge. Self induced vomiting (purging), excessive use of laxatives and
inappropriate use of diuretics are common undoing behaviors of the Bulimic.
Unlike anorexics, bulimics are aware that they have an
eating disorder. They binge (consume a large amount of food in a short period of
time) and purge (rid themselves of the food by taking laxatives or vomiting) to punish
themselves or to avoid or express feelings of anxiety, depression, and anger.
Bulimia occurs typically in late adolescent or young
adult, middle-class, Caucasian females who have attempted various diets without much
success. Occasional symptoms of bulimia nervosa, such as isolated episodes of binge
eating and purging, have been reported in up to 40 percent of college women.
Families of bulimia patients tend to have more outward
conflicts, and patients describe their parents as neglectful and rejecting.
According to DSM-IV, the diagnostic criteria for
bulimia nervosa include:
Recurrent episodes of binge eating. An episode of
binge eating is characterized by both of the following:
eating, in a discrete period of time (e.g., within
any two hour peiord), an amount of food that is definitely larger than most people would
eat during a similar period of time and under similar circumstances
a sense of lack of control over eating durng the
episode (e.g., a felling that one cannot stop eating or control what or how much one is
eating)
Recurrent inappropriate compensatory behavior in
order to prevent weight gain, such as self-induced vomiting; misuse of laxatives,
diuretics, enemas, or other medications; fasting; or excessive exercise
The binge eating and inappropriate compensatory
behaviors both occur, on average, at least twice a week for three months
Self-evaluation is unduly influenced by body shape
and weight
The disturbance does not occur exclusively during
episodes of anorexia nervosa
Treatment options include psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy.
Please consult your physician or a therapist if you or someone you know is exhibiting the
symptoms of an eating disorder, or call the Eating Disorders Awareness and Prevention
(EDAP) hotline for answers to your questions, information, and nationwide referrals at 1-800-931-2237.
Learn about Anorexia Nervosa
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