Bulimia nervosa

Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder associated with binge eating, followed by behaviors like purging or excessive exercising to compensate for the binge. The condition is often treated with a combination of medication and therapy • • • • • • • • • • What is bulimia nervosa? Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). People with bulimia are fixated on their body shape and weight and they evaluate themselves based on physical appearance. As a result, they engage in episodes of binge eating, during which they feel a lack of control over their food intake After a binge, people with bulimia compensate to prevent weight gain. They may abuse laxatives, purge, or excessively exercise to attempt to rid the body of calories consumed during the binge Types of Bulimia Nervosa The DSM specifies two types of bulimia nervosa: purging and non-purging type. These are described in more detail below • Purging type: A person who fulfills the criteria for the purging type of bulimia regularly engages in purging behaviors, which include self-induced vomiting, or misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or enemas. • Non-purging type: A person who demonstrates the non-purging type of bulimia does not regularly purge. Instead, they use compensatory behaviors like fasting or over-exercising to eliminate excess calories consumed during a binge. Symptoms of bulimia nervosa If a person has bulimia nervosa, they will display both physical and psyc...

Eating disorder treatment depends on your particular disorder and your symptoms. It typically includes a combination of psychological therapy (psychotherapy), nutrition education, medical monitoring and sometimes medications. Eating disorder treatment also involves addressing other health problems caused by an eating disorder, which can be serious or even life-threatening if they go untreated for too long. If an eating disorder doesn't improve with standard treatment or causes health problems, you may need hospitalization or another type of inpatient program. Whether you start by seeing your primary care practitioner or some type of mental health professional, you'll likely benefit from a referral to a team of professionals who specialize in eating disorder treatment. Members of your treatment team may include: • A mental health professional, such as a psychologist to provide psychological therapy. If you need medication prescription and management, you may see a psychiatrist. Some psychiatrists also provide psychological therapy. • A registered dietitian to provide education on nutrition and meal planning. • Medical or dental specialists to treat health or dental problems that result from your eating disorder. • Your partner, parents or other family members. For young people still living at home, parents should be actively involved in treatment and may supervise meals. It's best if everyone involved in your treatment communicates about your progress so that adjustments ca...

There are currently six eating disorders recognized in the DSM-5: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, pica, rumination disorder, and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder. Each has a unique set of symptoms, but treatments are often effective for people struggling with any eating disorder. Anorexia occurs when someone does not eat enough to maintain a healthy body weight, due to an intense fear of gaining weight or feeling fat. They might have a distorted perception of their own body and fail to see the seriousness of their low weight. Anorexia is up to 10 times more common in women than in men. It most often begins in adolescence or young adulthood, but a second peak seems to occur These traits manifest in how people with anorexia consume food. They may only eat at specific times of day or use specific cutlery. They may obsess over nutrition labels and measurements of their food. They may eat alone or constantly make excuses for not eating. They may restrict their consumption to the degree that they develop stomach problems, electrolyte imbalances, hair loss, brittle bones, dizziness or fainting. People with anorexia can die from the disorder and by suicde. It is the most deadly mental illness. But through a team approach, recovery is possible. Treatment involves a nutritionist, physician, and psychologist. In an outpatient setting, effective treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy, and a version specifically designed for eating disorders ...

• Helping Someone with an Eating Disorder • Anorexia Nervosa: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment • Bulimia Nervosa • Orthorexia Nervosa: Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment • Binge Eating Disorder • Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) • Emotional Eating and How to Stop It • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Mental Health • Online Therapy: Is it Right for You? • Mental Health • How do I begin recovery from an eating disorder? • Reach out for support • Getting treatment for an eating disorder • Self-help tip 1: Learn healthier ways to cope with emotional pain • Tip 2: Develop a balanced relationship with food • Tip 3: Learn to accept and love yourself as you are • Tip 4: Avoid relapse By , and • How do I begin recovery from an eating disorder? • Reach out for support • Getting treatment for an eating disorder • Self-help tip 1: Learn healthier ways to cope with emotional pain • Tip 2: Develop a balanced relationship with food • Tip 3: Learn to accept and love yourself as you are • Tip 4: Avoid relapse How do I begin recovery from an eating disorder? The inner voices of anorexia and bulimia whisper that you’ll never be happy until you lose weight, that your worth is measured by how you look. But the truth is that happiness and self-esteem come from loving yourself for who you truly are—and that’s only possible with recovery. The road to recovery from an eating disorder starts with admitting you have a problem. This admission can be tough, especially if you're still clinging to the be...

What is bulimia nervosa in children? Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder. It’s also called bulimia. A child with bulimia overeats or binges uncontrollably. This overeating may be followed by self-induced throwing up (purging). A child who binges eats much larger amounts of food than would normally be eaten within a short period of time (often less than 2 hours). The binges happen at least twice a week for 3 months. They may happen as often as several times a day. Bulimia has two types: • Purging type. A child with this type regularly binges and then causes himself or herself to throw up. Or the child may misuse laxatives, diuretics, enemas, or other medicines that clear the bowels. • Nonpurging type. Instead of purging after binging, a child with this type uses other inappropriate behaviors to control weight. He or she may fast or exercise too much. What causes bulimia nervosa in a child? Researchers don’t know what causes bulimia. Some things that may lead to it are: • Cultural ideals and social attitudes about body appearance • Self-evaluation based on body weight and shape • Family problems Which children are at risk for bulimia nervosa? Most children with bulimia are girls in their teens. They tend to be from a high socioeconomic group. They may have other mental health problems, such as an anxiety or mood disorders. Children with bulimia are more likely to come from families with a history of: • Eating disorders • Physical illness • Other mental health problems, suc...

This content mentions body image and eating disorders, which some people may find triggering. Summary • What are the symptoms of bulimia? • What causes bulimia? • What help is available? Bulimia nervosa (commonly known as bulimia) is an Anyone can develop bulimia, but it’s most common in young people aged 13 to 17. What are the symptoms of bulimia? If you have bulimia, you may feel: • guilty or ashamed, especially after bingeing • preoccupied with your weight • as though your body is bigger or in a different shape than it really is • stuck in a cycle of feeling out of control and trying to regain control • anxious or depressed • lacking in confidence and self-esteem • irritable and moody • numb The physical symptoms of bulimia include: • weight loss or frequent weight changes, although many people with bulimia stay the same weight • periods stopping or becoming irregular • tiredness or lethargy • constipation, bloating and stomach pains • sore throat and damaged teeth from stomach acid if you make yourself sick • a puffy face • swollen hands and feet Your behaviour may be affected. You may: • binge on food, particularly foods you think are bad for you • try to get rid of the food you’ve eaten (purge) by vomiting, taking laxatives or exercising a lot • eat in secret, or disappear after eating to purge Bulimia can cause serious physical damage to your body. Vomiting can damage your teeth. Laxative misuse can lead to heart disease and digestive problems such as irritable bowe...