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Bulimia
Nervosa
What is Bulimia Nervosa?
Whom
does Bulimia Nervosa affect?
How common is Bulimia Nervosa?
What are the symptoms of Bulimia Nervosa?
What
are the physical consequences of Bulimia Nervosa?
What is the treatment of Bulimia Nervosa?
Further help
 What
is Bulimia Nervosa?
Bulimia
Nervosa is a disorder in which there are repeated episodes of overeating
(binges) and an excessive preoccupation with control of body weight. Binges
are usually followed by self-induced vomiting in order to avoid gaining
weight. Other measures taken to avoid weight gain include starvation,
taking laxatives and diuretics. However weight is usually within the normal
range in Bulimia Nervosa
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Whom
does Bulimia Nervosa effect?
It is much more
common in women, especially young women, and it usually occurs at a slightly
later age than Anorexia Nervosa. The ratio of female to male is the same
as in Anorexia Nervosa i.e. 9: 1.
How
common is Bulimia Nervosa ?
Surveys
have suggested that it affects between 5- 1 0% of young women. However
Bulimia Nervosa is a disorder that it is often kept secret so it is difficult
to give an accurate figure.
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What
are the symptoms of Bulimia Nervosa?
Symptoms
include:
•
Persistent preoccupation
with eating.
•
Irresistible craving
for food.
•
Binge eating of
large amounts of food in a short period of time.
•
During the binge
there is a feeling of loss of control over eating.
•
Feelings of guilt
after the binge episode followed by self- induced vomiting.
•
Laxative abuse.
•
Alternating periods
of binge eating and starvation.
•
Using appetite
suppressants (slimming pills) and diuretics.
•
Fear of fatness.
•
Over-concern with
body shape and weight, though body weight is more often normal in Bulimia
Nervosa than in Anorexia Nervosa.
•
Menstrual periods are
often normal but may be irregular or absent.
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What
are
the physical consequences of Bulimia Nervosa?
Repeated
vomiting leads to several complications: loss of potassium which can cause
weakness, abnormalities of heart rhythm (which can be fatal), kidney damage,
erosion of the teeth and swelling of the Salivary Gland. Many of the symptoms
that occur in Anorexia Nervosa can also occur in Bulimia Nervosa.
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What
is
the treatment for Bulimia Nervosa?
The
aim of treatment is to help the individual gain control over eating such
that there is a return to eating regular meals without engaging in vomiting
or bingeing. A particular type of psychological intervention known as
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is often used in order to help the individual
change his/her faulty way of thinking. Medication has been shown to be
of value.
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 Further
Help
Whether
you are concerned about yourself or someone else it is best to seek advice
from your family doctor. Your doctor may decide that specialist help is
necessary and you may be referred to a psychiatrist or a psychologist.
BODYWHYS provides help, support and understanding for Anorexia
and Bulimia Nervosa sufferers.
Helpline
01 283 5126.
You may also like to join a self help group in your area. For
information on the Dundalk Support group contact the phone number
above. Your local library
or bookshop will likely have several books on eating disorders.
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