Bulimia Nervosa and Binge-Eating

disorder:
Bulimia nervosa:

An emotional disorder characterized by a

distorted body image and an obsessive desire to
lose weight, in which bouts of extreme overeating
are followed by fasting or self-induced vomiting
or purging.

Other name of bulimia nervosa:

It is also known as simply bulimia.

Characteristics of bulimia nervosa:

Following are the characteristics of bulimia

nervosa:

 Repeated episodes of binge eating, which is eating a large amount of food in a short
period of time and feeling out of control while doing so

 The use of compensatory behaviors such as vomiting, using laxatives or diuretics, or

engaging in extreme amounts of exercise in order to offset eating.

 Self-evaluation is unjustifiably influenced by body shape and weight.

Symptoms of bulimia nervosa:

Following are the symptoms of the bulimia nervosa:

Behavioral symptoms:

Following are the behavioral symptoms:

 Eating uncontrollably, followed by purging

 Hoarding or stealing food
 Food rituals, like eating only a certain food, chewing
more than necessary, or not allowing foods to touch
 Skipping meals or eating only small portions during
meals
 Feeling out of control
  Vomiting or abusing laxatives or diuretics to
try to lose weight
 Using the bathroom frequently after meals
 Excessive exercising
 Preoccupation with body weight
 Depression or mood swings
 Drinking large amounts of water or calorie-
free beverages
 Often using mints, gum, or mouthwash
 Avoiding friends and activities you used to
enjoy

Physical activities are as follow:

Dental problems
Sore throat
Swollen glands in your neck and face
Heartburn, indigestion, bloating
Irregular periods
Weakness, exhaustion, bloodshot eyes
Calluses on your knuckles or backs of your
hands from making yourself vomit
 Gaining and losing weight often. Your weight is usually in the normal range, but you
may be overweight.
 Dizziness or fainting
 Feeling cold all the time
 Sleep problems
 Dry skin, and dry and brittle nails

Bulimia causes and risk factors:

The fact that bulimia tends to run in families

also suggests that you might inherit a risk for the
disorder.
Other risk factors include:

 Being female
 Depression and anxiety disorders
 Substance use disorders
 Traumatic events
 Stress
  Frequent dieting

Bulimia complications:

 Another reason to get prompt treatment is to avoid the serious problems bulimia can
cause. They include:

 Erosion of tooth enamel because of
repeated exposure to stomach acid
 Dental cavities
 Tooth sensitivity to hot or cold food
 Swelling and soreness in your salivary
glands (from repeated vomiting)
 Stomach ulcers
 Ruptures of your stomach or esophagus
 Disruption of your poop habits
 Dehydration
 Irregular heartbeat
 Heart attack (in severe cases)
 Lower sex drive
 Higher risk for suicidal behavior
 Self-harm, such as cutting yourself
 Alcohol or drug misuse
 Gastroparesis, in which your stomach takes
too long to digest food

Bulimia diagnosis:

If your doctor thinks you might have bulimia,

they'll probably ask you about your eating habits,
if you've lost or gained weight, and whether you
have any physical symptoms. They may also:

 Give you a complete physical

 Do blood and pee tests
 Give you an EKG to see if you have heart problems resulting from bulimia
 Do a psychological exam that includes questions about your body image 

Treatment for bulimia nervosa:

Treatment for bulimia nervosa may include:

Medical treatments:

 Medication
 hospitalization

Medications:
The antidepressant fluoxetine (Prozac)
is FDA-approved for the treatment of
bulimia. Doctors sometimes recommend
other antidepressants or types of
medicines.

Hospitalization:
This doesn't happen often. But with serious cases of bulimia, you might be treated in a
hospital for a short time. Most eating-disorder programs offer outpatient treatment.

Psychotherapy:
 Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). In this type of therapy, you learn normal eating
habits and watch out for things that lead you to binge or purge. You challenge irrational
thoughts and unhealthy behaviors as they arise.
 Family-based treatment (FBT). Often used in children and teens with bulimia, it helps the
family deal with the illness and the issues it can cause.
 Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT). This focuses on problems in your relationships with
other people in your life. The way you interact with others can affect your emotional state
and mental health.

Nutritional therapy:
The goal is to teach you good eating habits. You work with a dietitian to learn to
recognize your body's signals of hunger and fullness. They help you stabilize your weight
and gain a healthier attitude toward food.

Treatment challenges in bulimia nervosa:

Periods of bingeing and purging may come and go through the years, depending on your life
circumstances, such as recurrence during times of high stress.
If you find yourself back in the binge-purge cycle, follow-up sessions with your primary care
provider, dietitian and/or mental health professional may help you weather the crisis before your
eating disorder spirals out of control again. Learning positive ways to cope, creating healthy
relationships and managing stress can help prevent a relapse.
Binge-eating
disorder: 
BED stands for binge-eating disorder. Binge
Eating Disorder (BED) is commonly known
by compulsive overeating or consuming
abnormal amounts of food while feeling
unable to stop and a loss of control. 

BED was first explained in 1959 by Albert

Stunkard, a psychiatrist, and researcher, as Night Eating Syndrome (NES). The term Binge
Eating Disorder was created to define similar binge eating behavior without the nocturnal aspect.

Though BED can occur in men and women of normal weight, it often leads to the development
of unwanted weight gain or obesity, which can indirectly reinforce further compulsive eating.
Men and women suffering from BED struggle with emotions of disgust and guilt and often have
a related co-morbidity, such as depression or anxiety.
The negative feelings that usually accompany binge eating often lead him or her to continue to
use food to cope; thus creating a vicious cycle. Managed eating disorder treatments are
extremely important.

Causes of BED:

 While the exact cause of BED is unknown, there are a variety of factors that are thought to
influence the development of this disorder.
These factors are:

 Biological
 Psychological
 Social and culture

Biological:

Biological abnormalities, such as

hormonal irregularities or genetic
mutations, may be associated with
compulsive eating and food addiction.
Psychological:
 A strong correlation has been established between depression and binge eating. Body
dissatisfaction, low self-esteem, and difficulty coping with feelings can also contribute to binge
eating disorder.
Social and Cultural:

Traumatic situations, such as a history of sexual abuse, can increase the risk of binge eating.
Social pressures to be thin, which are typically influenced through media, can trigger emotional
eating. Persons subject to critical comments about their bodies or weight may be especially
vulnerable to binge eating disorder.

Symptoms of BED:

Following are the symptoms of BED:

The following are some behavioral and emotional signs

and symptoms of BED:

 Continually eating even when full

 Inability to stop eating or control what is eaten
 Stockpiling food to consume secretly at a later
time
 Eating normally in the presence of others but
gorging when isolated
 Experiencing feelings of stress or anxiety that can
only be relieved by eating
 Feelings of numbness or lack of sensation while
bingeing
 Never experiencing satiation: the state of being
satisfied, no matter the amount of food consumed
 The consequences of BED involve many physical, social, and emotional difficulties.

Complications of BED:

Some of these complications are:

 Cardiovascular disease
 Type 2 Diabetes
 Insomnia or sleep apnea
 Hypertension
 Gallbladder disease
 Muscle and/or joint pain
 Gastrointestinal difficulties
  Depression and/or anxiety

Treatment for BED:

Professional support and treatment from health

professionals specializing in the treatment of binge
eating disorders, including psychiatrists,
nutritionists, and therapists, can be the most
effective way to address BED.

Such a treatment program would address the

underlying issues associated with destructive
eating habits, focusing on the central cause of the
problem.

It is necessary to concentrate on healing from the emotional triggers that may be causing binge
eating, having proper guidance in establishing healthier coping mechanisms to deal with stress,
depression, anxiety, etc.