Bulimia Nervosa | Psychology Today
Bulimia Nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by episodes of binge eating—consuming a lot of food quickly—followed by compensatory behavior, most commonly vomiting or “purging.”
Definition
Bulimia Nervosa is characterized by recurrent and frequent episodes of binge eating—i.e., consuming unusually large amounts of food in a short time—and a feeling that one lacks control over eating. A bulimic can consume as many as 3,400 calories in little more than an hour and as many as 20,000 calories in eight hours.
People with bulimia often know they have a problem and are afraid of their inability to stop eating. Bingeing is then followed by purging—namely, self-induced vomiting or the abuse of diuretics or laxatives. Bingeing and purging are often performed in secret, with feelings of shame alternating with relief.
Unlike those with anorexia, people with bulimia can maintain a normal weight for their age. But like people with anorexia, they often fear gaining weight, want desperately to lose weight, and are intensely unhappy with their body size and shape, which may explain why bulimic behavior often takes place in secret. The bingeing and purging cycle is usually repeated several times a week. As with anorexia, people with bulimia often have coexisting psychological illnesses, such as depression and anxiety, and substance abuse problems. Many physical dysfunctions result from the purging, including electrolyte imbalances, gastrointestinal troubles, and dental problems.
An estimated 1 percent to 4 percent of females have bulimia nervosa during their lifetime. The prevalence in males is unknown, but bulimia nervosa is far less common in males than females. Most cases begin in the late teens and early 20’s, but can go undetected until the 30’s or 40’s.
Symptoms
Common symptons are:
- Recurrent episodes of binge eating, characterized by eating within a discrete period of time—say, two hours—an amount of food substantially larger than most people would eat
- A feeling that one cannot stop eating or control what or how much one eats
- Recurrent compensatory behavior to prevent weight gain, such as self-induced vomiting; misuse of laxatives, diuretics, enemas, or other medications; fasting; and excessive exercise
- Self-evaluation unduly influenced by body shape and weight
- Does not occur exclusively with anorexia nervosa
Other symptoms include:
- Chronically inflamed and sore throat
- Swollen glands in the neck and below the jaw
- Worn tooth enamel and increasingly sensitive and decaying teeth as a result of exposure to stomach acids
- Acid reflux disorder (gastroesophageal reflux disorder, or GERD)
- Intestinal distress and irritation from laxative abuse
- Kidney problems from diuretic abuse
- Severe dehydration from purging of fluids
Bulimia is categorized as mild, moderate, severe, or extreme based on the number of inappropriate compensatory behaviors that happen each week.
Causes
Bulimia is more than just a problem with food. A binge can be triggered by dieting, stress, or uncomfortable emotions like anger or sadness. Purging and other actions to prevent weight gain are ways for people with bulimia to feel more in control of their lives and to ease stress and anxiety. There is no single known cause of bulimia, but there are some factors that may play a part.
- Culture. Women in the U.S. are under constant pressure to fit a certain ideal of beauty. Images everywhere of flawless, thin females make it hard for women to feel good about their bodies. Increasingly, men are also feeling pressure to have a perfect body.
- Families. If you have a mother or sister with bulimia, you are more likely to 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 stressors, such as starting a new job, can trigger bulimia.
- Personality traits. Someone with bulimia may have low self-esteem and feel hopeless. She or he may be very moody and have difficulty expressing anger or controlling impulsive behaviors.
- Biology. Genes, hormones, and brain chemicals may contribute to developing bulimia.
Treatments
As with anorexia, treatment for bulimia often involves a combination of options and depends on individual needs.
To reduce or eliminate bingeing and purging, a patient may undergo nutritional counseling and psychotherapy, especially cognitive behavioral therapy, and be prescribed medication. Some antidepressants, such as fluoxetine (brand name, Prozac)—the only medication approved by the FDA for treating bulimia—may help patients who also suffer from depression and anxiety. The drug also appears to help reduce binge-eating and purging as well as the chance of relapse, and it can improve eating attitudes.
Cognitive behavioral therapy tailored to treat bulimia has also been shown to be effective in changing bingeing and purging behavior and improving attitudes towards eating. Therapy may be done one-on-one or in a group setting.
Note: Despite the relative safety and popularity of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and other antidepressants, some studies have suggested that they may have unintentional side effects, especially among adolescents and young adults. In 2004, after a thorough review of data, the FDA adopted a black-box warning label on all antidepressant medications to alert the public about the potential increased risk of suicidal thinking and attempts in children and adolescents. In 2007, the FDA proposed that makers of all antidepressant medications extend the warning to include young adults up through age 24. A black-box warning is the most serious type of warning on prescription drug labeling.
Current Research
Unlike neurological disorders, which generally can be pinpointed to a specific lesion in the brain, an eating disorder likely involves abnormal activity distributed across brain systems. With increased recognition that mental disorders are brain disorders, more researchers are using tools from neuroscience, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to better understand eating disorders and how those with a disorder process information, whether they’ve recovered or are still in the throes of their illness.
Behavioral and psychological research on eating disorders is complex and challenging. New studies are currently underway to remedy the lack of information about treatments. Researchers also are working to define the basic processes of the disorders, which should help identify better treatments.
These and other questions may be answered in the future as scientists and doctors recognize eating disorders as medical illnesses with certain biological causes. Researchers are studying behavioral questions, along with genetic and brain systems information, to understand risk factors, identify biological markers, and develop medications that can target specific pathways that affect eating behavior. Finally, neuroimaging and genetic studies may provide clues for individual responses to specific treatments.
References
- National Institute of Mental Health
- Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition
- American Psychiatric Association Work Group on Eating Disorders
- American Journal of Psychiatry
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Last reviewed 03/13/2017