What is Bulimia Nervosa?
Binge eating involves consuming a large amount of food within a short time period due to feeling a lack of control over eating. Sufferers may eat thousands of calories through large portions, multiple meals or non-stop snacking. Binges provide temporary relief from negative emotions but are soon followed by guilt and self-loathing.
Symptoms
To compensate for binge eating, individuals rely on purging behaviours to expel calories and avoid weight gain. This includes self-induced vomiting, laxative or diuretic abuse, fasting, and excessive exercise. Some use a combination of these methods, purging 4-6 times a week on average.
While people with bulimia fear gaining weight, they are usually normal weight or slightly overweight. Warning signs include evidence of binges, swollen salivary glands, disappearing large amounts of food, frequent bathroom visits after meals, excessive exercise, strict dieting, and isolation.
Bulimia has substantial medical risks, including fluid and electrolyte imbalances, gastric ruptures, irregular heartbeat, tooth decay, infertility, and hormonal disruptions leading to bone loss and organ damage. Laxative abuse can cause dependence and colon problems. Self-induced vomiting erodes tooth enamel and tears the oesophagal lining.
Therapy
The high risk of relapse necessitates ongoing care focused on normalizing food intake, managing emotional triggers, and building self-acceptance. Family-based treatment provides essential support. Partial or full hospitalization may be required in severe cases.
Early intervention and evidence-based treatment can help mitigate the considerable medical and mental health effects of bulimia. A caring, non-judgemental approach helps create motivation to change destructive habits and adopt healthy attitudes around food and body.