Bulimia nervosa

What is bulimia nervosa? Eating disorders can have significant impacts on all aspects of a person’s life – physical, emotional and social.

People can live with bulimia nervosa for a long time without seeking support#

Recognizing the signs and accessing treatment early is the best way to begin the journey to recovery.

People with bulimia nervosa engage in eating large amounts of food in a relatively short period of time (binge eating).

During these episodes of binge eating, people feel that they have no control over the amount of food they consume, or the ability to stop. They then try to ‘make up for’ this food intake using a variety of compensatory behaviors.

Compensatory behaviors can include:

• using medications inappropriately to control body weight. People with bulimia nervosa often experience body dissatisfaction
• distorted body image
• overvalue their body shape or size. This may influence their engagement in compensatory behaviors after binge eating

Compensatory behaviors are not a lifestyle choice – they are a sign of a complex mental health problem. Dieting is the primary risk factor and trigger across all types of eating disorders. A person with bulimia nervosa can be of any body shape, size or weight.

The cycle of binge eating and engaging in compensatory behaviors leads to intense feelings of shame, guilt and disgust.

The behaviors can become compulsive and obsessive#

This can lead to a preoccupation with food, eating (or not eating), diet and body size, shape or weight. Added to this cycle, a person with bulimia nervosa may also engage in behaviors to hide their eating and compensatory behaviors. This means the condition can go undetected and untreated for a long time, which has physical health implications for the person experiencing the eating disorder.

Understanding the warning signs and symptoms can help you to recognize bulimia nervosa. Physical signs and symptoms of bulimia nervosa can include:

• muscle fatigue cramps. Psychological signs symptoms of bulimia nervosa can include
• Behavioral signs symptoms of bulimia nervosa can include repetitive dieting behavior (such as counting calories
• fasting skipping meals avoiding certain food groups) self-harming behavior
• substance misuse suicidality

Physical problems that may be caused by ongoing bulimia nervosa can include:

• electrolyte imbalance from self-induced vomiting – this can cause severe dehydration
• damage nerves muscles
• organs. Diagnosing bulimia nervosa can be difficult
• because people with this condition
• may actively try to conceal their behaviors

For these reasons, bulimia nervosa can go undiagnosed for a long time.

If you think you (or someone you know) might have bulimia nervosa, it is important that you see your doctor as soon as possible. The sooner you seek help, the sooner you can start to recover, and the more effective treatment can be. ) can recognize this mental illness, but may not be able to give you a full physical check-up.

This is why visiting your doctor is important#

To diagnose bulimia nervosa, a doctor: may ask questions about your health – including questions about your emotional health and wellbeing, medical history and lifestyle. Like other eating disorders, treatment for bulimia nervosa needs to address both your physical and mental health.

Early treatment is the best way to help you on your journey of recovery#

The journey can be difficult, but you can get there with the right support. A doctor experienced in supporting people with an eating disorder is a good first point of contact. Once bulimia nervosa is diagnosed, your doctor can assemble a team of healthcare professionals who will be best suited to help you.

The types of healthcare professionals who might be involved include:

• your emotional response
• your eating behavior

Support groups can be helpful as an additional source of support, alongside treatment from healthcare professionals. Most people with bulimia nervosa are treated outside a hospital setting.

However, if the condition is severe, treatment in a hospital might be needed#

Outpatient treatment and day programs can also be very helpful in supporting people as they make changes to their patterns of behavior, thinking and eating. Other treatment options include medications and supplements for any physical symptoms and, in some cases, medication to help your mental health (for example, antidepressants).

Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder and a mental illness Compensatory behaviors self-induced vomiting using laxatives and diuretics fasting excessive exercise Symptoms of bulimia nervosa Physical symptoms of bulimia nervosa weight change or fluctuations in weight dental erosion, bad breath swelling around the cheeks and jaw indigestion, frequent constipation, diarrhea or new food intolerances heart-related conditions, irregular heart beat, low blood pressure fainting or dizziness that is not due to another illness or health condition fatigue and sleep difficulties loss of periods or altered menstrual cycles Psychological symptoms of bulimia nervosa preoccupation or obsession with eating, dieting, exercise or body image fear of gaining weight sensitivity to comments about eating, dieting, exercise or body image feelings of shame, guilt and disgust, especially after eating and/or purging a distorted body image or extreme dissatisfaction with body shape anxiety or irritability around meal times low self-esteem, depression, anxiety or suicidality Behavioral symptoms of bulimia nervosa compulsive or excessive exercise, even when sick or injured avoiding social situations and/or becoming more socially withdrawn eating alone or in secret, avoiding other people at meal times hiding food frequent trips to the bathroom during or after eating use of laxatives, enemas, diuretics or appetite suppressants spending large amounts of money on food Long-term effects of bulimia nervosa gastrointestinal conditions associated with compensatory behaviors heart-related issues ongoing dental problems weakened bones ( osteoporosis ) infertility in men and women Diagnosis of bulimia nervosa are across the weight spectrum (bodies of all shapes and sizes) may not display other noticeable physical indicators of illness Other healthcare professionals (such as dieticians, psychologists or psychiatrists will need to do a full physical check-up may complete blood tests Treatment of bulimia nervosa psychiatrist psychologist dietitian family therapist social worker Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Enhanced (CBT-E) Cognitive Behavior Therapy – Guided Self Help (CBT-GSH) Learn more about treatment for eating disorders for children/young people and for adults

Where to get help#

Key Points#

• Recognizing the signs and accessing treatment early is the best way to begin the journey to recovery
• Dieting is the primary risk factor and trigger across all types of eating disorders
• Understanding the warning signs and symptoms can help you to recognize bulimia nervosa
• Physical signs and symptoms of bulimia nervosa can include: muscle fatigue, cramps
• sooner you seek help, the sooner you can start to recover, and the more effective treatment can be