Bulimia Nervosa
"I had a girlfriend who was bulimic. We never talked about it, but that's truly how I was introduced to the idea. I tried this vomiting business. ... I thought I could make it whatever I wanted. When I ate something on my "bad" list, I could get rid of it. I had this irrational fear of starting to eat and not being able to stop and just becoming huge. I figured if I reached a certain weight, I would feel secure. Then, I would be able to stop. The strange thing was the number on the scale was never low enough..."
Definitions DSM Diagnosis Signs and Symptoms Medical Complications
 Definition:

Bulimia Nervosa: (binge-purge) is characterized by episodes of bingeing and purging. An individual on a binge can consume calories ranging from 1,000-60,000 in a single sitting over a 1 - 2 hour span. Feelings of panic and guilt will set in and the individual soon realizes that she/he must purge the calories by means of vomiting, excessive use of diuretics and laxatives, fasting, or excessive exercising. As opposed to anorexia nervosa, a bulimic usually maintains a normal body weight with only a slight fluctuation. The individual will feel completely out of control and abnormal, and conger up feelings of depression, shame and self-deprecation. However, it is important to remember that the bulimic cycle becomes extremely habitual and addictive, and is very difficult to break. The typical age onset of bulimia is late teens and early twenties.

DSM IV Clinical Definition:

1. Recurrent episodes of binge eating characterized by BOTH of the following:

  • Eating in a discrete amount of time (within a 2 hour period), an amount that is definitely larger than most people would eat during a similar time period.
  • Sense of lack of control over eating during an episode.

2. Recurrent inappropriate compensatory behavior in order to prevent weight gain (self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives or diuretics, starvation, or compulsive exercising).

3. The binge eating and inappropriate compensatory behaviors both occur, on average, at least twice a week for three months.

4. Self-evaluation is unduly influenced by body shape and weight.

5. The disturbance does not occur exclusively during episodes of anorexia nervosa.

Signs and Symptoms of Bulimia:
  • Binging and Purging
  • Secretive Eating: Missing Food
  • Severe self-criticism
  • Feelings of guilt after eating
  • Visits to the bathroom after meals
  • Weight fluctuations (10-20 lbs.)
  • Tooth decay
  • Avoids eating in public, in front of others
  • High levels of anxiety and/or depression
  • Preoccupation with food
  • Swollen glands in neck & puffiness in cheeks
  • Excessive and compulsive exercise regimes
  • Constant sore throat
  • Increased promiscuous attitude
  • Feels like he/she has no control over food
  • Scarring on knuckles of fingers
  • Broken blood vessels in eyes
  • Poor impulse control: i.e. drugs, alcohol, spending, mood, etc.
  • Abuse of laxatives, diet pills, ipecac, and/or diuretics
  • Very poor self-esteem
  • Avoids many social situations

Medical Complications of Bulimia:
  • Dehydration, fluid and electrolyte imbalances
  • Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
  • Gastrointestinal problems
  • Chronic sore throats
  • Eruption of the esophagus
  • Tears in the lining of the stomach
  • Chronic Kidney problems/failure
  • Tooth decay
  • Irregular heartbeat that can lead to cardiac arrest
  • DEATH

To find out if you or someone you know maybe suffering from Bulimia Click Here.
To find out why people develop bulimia Click Here.
To find out how to approach a loved one who is battling, Click here.
To find treatment in your area for bulimia Click Here.
To find suggested reading lists on bulimia Click Here.
To find personal stories on individuals who overcame bulimia, Click Here.
© copyright by THE ALLIANCE FOR EATING DISORDERS AWARENESS 2005