BULIMIA

What is Bulimia?

Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by frequent

episodes of binge eating, followed by frantic efforts to avoid
gaining weight.

History/Origin of Item

Bulimia was first described in 1979 by Gerald F.M. Russell. He

described the key clinical features of bulimia in 30 patients whom he
had seen between 1972 and 1978.
 Specific examples: People who suffer from bulimia nervosa stuff
themselves often. They just eat whatever is close at hand and
afterwards they try to throw up everything. These rituals of
stuffing themselves are attempts to forget their problems.

How long they should last before concern: if you are doing it
regularly, on purpose
 Genetic, Hereditary, and Environmental Factors

• Culture. Women in the U.S. are under constant pressure to fit a certain ideal of beauty. Seeing
images of flawless, thin females everywhere makes it hard for women to feel good about their bodies.
• Families. If you have a mother or sister with bulimia, you are more likely to also have bulimia. Parents
who think looks are important, diet themselves, or criticize their children's bodies are more likely to
have a child with bulimia.
• Life changes or stressful events. Traumatic events (like rape), as well as stressful things (like
starting a new job), can lead to bulimia.
• Personality traits. A person with bulimia may not like herself, hate the way she looks, or feel
hopeless. She may be very moody, have problems expressing anger, or have a hard time controlling
impulsive behaviors.
• Biology. Genes, hormones, and chemicals in the brain may be factors in developing bulimia.
Bulimia,Treatment, and physical effects

If treatment is available, examples and details listed:

•The treatment of choice for bulimia is cognitive-behavioral therapy.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy targets the unhealthy eating behaviors
of bulimia and the unrealistic, negative thoughts that fuel them.

•Role of diet: As the tension, hunger, and feelings of deprivation

build, the compulsion to eat becomes too powerful to resist: a
“forbidden” food is eaten; a dietary rule is broken.
Role of exercise:

•Though many of us worry about getting enough exercise,

there is such a thing as too much exercise. Regular
exercise is a good thing, but more is not always better and
in some cases, compulsive exercise can be just as
dangerous as eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia.

•Compulsive exercise is just another tool some people use

to purge their body of calories, much like a bulimic who
binges and purges.
Role of Medication, and family

• Role of medicine: Get treatment.

• Role of family support given: Offer compassion and support. Keep in mind that the person may get
defensive or angry. But if he or she does open up, listen without judgment and make sure the person knows you
care.
• Avoid insults, scare tactics, guilt trips, and patronizing comments. Since bulimia is often a caused and
exacerbated by stress, low self-esteem, and shame, negativity will only make it worse.
• Accept your limits. As a parent or friend, there isn’t a lot you can do to “fix” your loved one’s bulimia. The
person with bulimia must make the decision to move forward.
Short and long management

Bulimia programs are tailored to the individual needs

Management of problem short-term:
of you or your loved one. We also offer a family program that allows loved ones to
assist in the recovery process and obtain bulimia information so they can offer
needed support.

Management of problem long-term: The final phase of bulimia treatment involves

targeting emotional issues that caused the eating disorder in the first place. Therapy may
focus on relationship issues, underlying anxiety and depression, low self-esteem, and
feelings of isolation and loneliness.
 Impact on others and stats

Impact on the individual and family: Because poor body image and low self-esteem lie at the heart of
bulimia, therapy is an important part of recovery. It’s common to feel isolated and shamed by your bingeing
and purging, and therapists can help with these feelings.

Impact on the family: If you suspect that your friend or family member has bulimia, talk to the person
about your concerns. Your loved one may deny bingeing and purging, but there’s a chance that he or she will
welcome the opportunity to open up about the struggle.

Statistics integrated into the data: During an average binge, you may consume from 3,000 to 5,000
calories in one short hour.
Wow's

• About 8 million Americans suffer from Anorexia or

bulimia, 7 million women, and 1 million men.
• About 20% of people that suffer from bulimia or
anorexia will prematurely die from complications from
their eating disorder such as suicide or heart problems
Wow's

• Some celebrities that suffer from bulimia are...

• Paula Abdul, Justine Bateman, Karen Carpenter, Nadia
Comenaci, Susan Dey, Jane Fonda, Tracey Gold, Elton
John, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Cherry Boone O'neil, Barbara
Niven, Alexandra Paul, Princess Di, Lynn Redgrave, Kathy
Rigby, Joan Rivers, and Jeannine Turner.
 PEOPLE

MacLean

Preston

Miles
Resources

http://helpguide.org/mental/bulimia_signs_symptoms_causes_treatment.htm
http://www.state.sc.us/dmh/anorexia/statistics.htm
http://library.thinkquest.org/26618/en-med-7.2.htm
http://exercise.about.com/cs/exercisehealth/a/exercisebulimia.htm
http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/bulimia-nervosa.cfm
http://o5t.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/bulimia.jpg
http://info.umkc.edu/womenc/files/2009/10/eatingdisorders.jpg
http://freedomfrombulimia.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/bulimia.jpg
http://eating-disorders-treatment.com/?keyword=eating%20disorder%20treatment
%20programs&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=CPC&utm_campaign=Adwords&gclid=CKPWoO_X_Ko
CFUTc4Aodn1ed1g
http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2005/03/08/spooner_bulimia_wideweb__430x293.jpg
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/145/bulimia.jpg/sr=1
http://www.helpfulhealthtips.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/Bulimia-Symptoms-2.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3f/Paula_Abdul_2007.jpg/220px-
Paula_Abdul_2007.jpg