| Definition: Emotional
Eating Binge Eating Anorexia Bulimia Yo-Yo
Dieting
What is Bulimia? Are You Bulimic?
As with anorexia nervosa, bulimia often begins in adolescence and is found
predominantly in women, although men are also affected. Repeated binge and purge
episodes using laxatives, enemas, and self-induced vomiting are characteristic
of bulimia. Other symptoms of bulimia may include:
- Feeling out of control while eating
- Distorted body image
- Binge eating of high-carbohydrate foods, usually in
secrecy
- Body weight that fluctuates
- Constipation, diarrhea, nausea, gas, abdominal pain
- Dehydration
- Irregular menstruation or cessation of menstrual periods
- Stealing, especially food
- Depression
- Substance abuse, especially alcohol
The cycle of bingeing and purging, while seemingly related to
food, is actually used to anesthetize feelings of sadness, anger, and low
self-esteem.
Family, friends, and physicians may have difficulty detecting bulimia in someone
they know. Many individuals with the disorder remain at normal body weight or
above because of their frequent binges and purges, which can range from once or
twice a week to several times a day.Bulimia can be a
very serious problem. If you are one of your loved ones indicate any of
the warning signs,
please
contact us today.
More Definitions: Emotional
Eating Binge Eating Anorexia Bulimia Yo-Yo
Dieting |
