Bulimia Nervosa
What is Bulimia Nervosa?
- abuse diuretics
- abuse laxatives
- medications
- fasting
- excessive exercise
Is bulimia nervosa the same thing as anorexia nervosa?
Who is at risk to develop bulimia nervosa?
females
Males
Adolescents
Relatives of an individual with an eating disorder
Caucasians in the United States
(Nolen-Hoeksema,2014)
Pressure of sports
- pressure to fit into society
- emotional/psychological disorder and low-self esteem issues
What are the health risks ?
Other health risks include...
- Dehydration
- Cardiac problems
- Tooth Decay
- Cessation of menstrual bleeding
- Digestive problems
- Anxiety and depression
- Drug and alcohol abuse
- Suicide
(Mayo Clinic,2012).
"The suicide rate among people with bulimia nervosa is 7.5 times higher than in the general population (Preti et al. , 2011).(Nolen-Hoeksema, 2014, p. 345).
If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide it is never to late to get help!
1(800)273-8255
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Myths and Facts
Below are myths and explanations provided by the Bulimia Resource Guides website
http://www.bulimiaguide.org/summary/detail.aspx?doc_id=9477
Eating disorders are a choice
People do not choose to have eating disorders. They develop over time and require appropriate treatment to address the complex medical/psychiatric symptoms and underlying issues
You can tell if a person has an eating disorder simply by appearance
You can’t. Anorexia may be easier to detect visually, although individuals may wear loose clothing to conceal their body. Bulimia is harder to “see” because individuals often have normal weight or may even be overweight. Some people may have obvious signs, such as sudden weight loss or gain; others may not. People with an eating disorder can become very effective at hiding the signs and symptoms. Thus, eating disorders can be undetected for months, years, or a lifetime.
Eating disorders are an attempt to seek attention
The causes of eating disorders are complex and typically include socio economic, environmental, cultural, and biologic factors. People who experience eating disorders often go to great lengths to conceal it due to feelings of shame or a desire to persist in behavior perceived to afford the sufferer control in life. Eating disorders are often symptomatic of deeper psychological issues such as low self esteem and the desire to feel in control. The behaviors associated with eating disorders may sometimes be interpreted as ‘attention seeking”; however, they indicate that the affected person has very serious struggles and needs help.
Kids under age 15 are too young to have an eating disorder
Eating disorders have been diagnosed in children as young as seven or eight years of age. Often the precursor behaviors are not recognized until middle to late teens. The average age at onset for anorexia nervosa is 17 years; the disorder rarely begins before puberty. Bulimia nervosa is usually diagnosed in mid-to-late teens or early 20s, although some people do not seek treatment until even later in life (30s or 40s).
Bulimia Nervosa Resource Guide.(2014). ECRI Institute.
Treatment for bulima nervosa
According to NAMI, The National Alliance on Mental Illness, "Similar to other eating disorders, therapy is a cornerstone of treatment in bulimia nervosa. Individual therapy can include a wide-variety of techniques: cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) have been shown in scientific studies to decrease the symptoms of bulimia nervosa. Group psychotherapy can be useful in helping individuals with a supportive, therapeutic environment to discuss the challenges they face throughout treatment. Family psychotherapy can be useful in helping to support both the individual with bulimia nervosa and their family members. Nutritional counseling is useful in guiding individuals towards a healthy diet and regular eating habits. "(NAMI,2013).
NAMI also recommends a thorough medical review in a hospital setting or by a primary care doctor prior to treatment. (NAMI, 2013).
A look into cognitive-behavioral therapy(CBT)
Nolen-Hoeksema says, "CBT is based on the view that the extreme concerns about shape and weight are the central features of the disorder(Fairburn et al.,2008). The therapist teaches the client to monitor the cognition that accompany her eating, particularly the binge episodes and purging episodes. Then the therapist helps the client confront these cognitions and develop more adaptive attitudes toward weight and body shape."(Nolen-Hoeksema,2014,p.357).
ASK YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT WHAT TREATMENT OPTION IS RIGHT FOR YOU.
References
- Duckworth M.D., Freedman M.D. (2013). Bulimia Nervosa. National Alliance on Mental Illness. Retrieved from http://NAMI.org
- Mayo Clinic Staff. Diseases and Conditions: Bulimia nervosa. (2012). 1998-2014. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Retrieved from http://www.Mayoclinic.org
- Nolen-Hoeksema, S. (2014). Abnormal Psychology (Sixth ed.). New York, NY:McGraw-Hill Education.
- Bulimia Nervosa Resource Guide.(2014). ECRI Institute. Retrieved from http://www.bulimiaguide.org/summary/detail.aspx?doc_id=9477