Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia nervosa - often called simply “bulimia” - is a serious, potentially life-threatening eating disorder characterized by regular cycles of overeating (bingeing) and purging.
Mental healthOverview
Bulimia nervosa - often called simply “bulimia” - is a serious, potentially life-threatening eating disorder characterized by regular cycles of overeating (bingeing) and purging. A person feels a loss of control after bingeing and then uses different ways, such as vomiting or laxatives, to purge and prevent weight gain. People with bulimia may have an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted perception of body weight. People with bulimia usually appear to have a normal body weight.
Bulimia can cause serious complications including dehydration, heart problems, severe tooth decay and gum disease, absent or irregular periods in females, digestive problems, anxiety and depression, misuse of alcohol or drugs, and suicide.
Approximately 80% of people with bulimia are girls and women. Bulimia is an unhealthy way to try to cope with emotional problems, and it can be very difficult to overcome. Treatment is available to help people with bulimia gain a better self-image and return to healthier eating habits.
Symptoms
- Being preoccupied with body shape and weight
- Living in fear of gaining weight
- Feeling that you cannot control your eating behavior
- Eating until the point of discomfort or pain
- Eating much more food in a binge episode than in a normal meal or snack
- Forcing yourself to vomit or exercise too much to keep from gaining weight after binge eating
- Misusing laxatives, diuretics or enemas after eating
- Restricting calories or avoiding certain foods between binges
- Using dietary supplements or herbal products excessively for weight loss
- Compulsive exercise
- Suddenly eating large amounts of food or buying large amounts of food that disappear right away
- Regularly going to the bathroom right after meals
- Throwing away packages of laxatives, diet pills, emetics (drugs that cause vomiting), or diuretics
- Broken blood vessels in the eyes (from the strain of vomiting)
- Dry mouth
- Pouch-like look to the cheeks
- Rashes and pimples
- Staining or discoloration of the teeth
- Cuts and calluses on the hands and fingers from inducing vomiting
Causes & risk factors
The exact causes of bulimia nervosa are not known. Many factors may be involved, including biological, psychological, and environmental factors.
Risk factors for bulimia include:
- Being female
- Being worried about, or paying more attention to, body weight and shape
- Having anxiety disorders
- Having a negative self-image
- Having certain social or cultural ideas about health and beauty
When to get help
Reach out to a doctor if you binge and then purge, or feel out of control around food. Seek emergency care for fainting, chest pain, or irregular heartbeat, and call or text 988 for thoughts of self-harm.
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All information on this site is provided “as-is” for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment. You should consult with a medical professional if you have any questions about your health.