Introduction
Bulimia is one of the most common eating disorders. People with bulimia will eat a large amount of food in a short time (binge). Then they will do something to get rid of the food (purge). They may vomit, exercise too much, or use medicines like laxatives.
Overview and Facts
Bulimia is most common in:
- Teens: Like other eating disorders, bulimia usually starts in the teen years. But it can start even earlier or in adulthood.
- Women: About 10 out of 11 people with bulimia are female. But some boys and men have it too.
While bulimia often starts in the teen years, it usually lasts into adulthood and is a long-term disorder.
Symptoms
People with bulimia:
- Binge on a regular basis. They eat large amounts of food in a short period of time, often over a couple of hours or less. During a binge, they feel out of control and feel unable to stop eating.
- Purge to get rid of the food and avoid weight gain. They may make themselves vomit, exercise very hard or for a long time, or misuse laxatives, enemas, water pills (diuretics), or other medicines.
- Base how they feel about themselves on how much they weigh and how they look.
Any one of these can be a sign of an eating disorder that needs treatment.
Bulimia is different from anorexia nervosa, another eating disorder. People who have anorexia eat so little that they become extremely thin. People who have bulimia may not be thin. They may be a normal size. They may binge in secret and deny that they are purging. This makes it hard for others to know that a person with bulimia has a serious problem.
If you are concerned about someone, look for the following signs. A person may have bulimia if he/ she:
- Goes to the bathroom right after meals.
- Overeats but does not gain weight.
- Is secretive about eating, hides food, or will not eat around other people.
- Exercises a lot, even when she does not feel well.
- Often talks about dieting, weight, and body shape.
- Uses laxatives or diuretics often.
- Has teeth marks or calluses on the back of her hands or swollen cheeks or jaws. These are causedby making himself/herself vomit.
Consult a doctor if:
- You feel like you have symptoms of an eating disorder.
- You suspect a family member or friend has an eating disorder, talk with them about the problem.
The sooner you get medical and psychological treatment, the faster you will be on your way to recovery.
Causes and Risk Factors
All eating disorders are complex problems, and experts do not really know what causes them. But they may be caused by a mix of family history, social factors, and personality traits. You may be more likely to have bulimia if:
- Other people in your family are obese, have an eating disorder, or have a mood disorder such as depression or anxiety.
- You have a job or do a sport that stresses body size, such as ballet, modeling, or gymnastics.
- You are the type of person who tries to be perfect all the time, never feels good enough, or worries a lot.
- You are dealing with stressful life events, such as divorce, moving to a new town or school, or losing a loved one.
Tests and Diagnosis
To diagnose an eating disorder, a person should consult a mental health professional who will rely on scientific criteria to check whether he/she has an eating disorder.
If your doctor thinks that you may have an eating disorder, he or she will compare your weight with the expected weight for someone of your height and age. He or she will also check your heart, lungs, blood pressure, skin, and hair to look for problems caused by not eating enough. You may also have blood tests or X-rays.
Your doctor may ask questions about how you feel. It is common for a treatable mental health problem such as depression or anxiety to play a part in an eating disorder.
Treatment
The main treatments for bulimia are a combination of:
- Psychotherapy/ Cognitive behavioral therapy which helps by identifying and replacing inaccurate thoughts to help change behavior and emotional state.
- Medication such as antidepressants in case the person is depressed or anxious.
- Nutritional feeding and medical monitoring.
If left untreated, eating disorders can lead to serious illness and even death.
Sources and Links