Bulimia Nervosa. Introduction
Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder that is characterized by the patient engaging in purging and binge eating. This means that the patients for example first binge large quantities of food where after they throw up. Purging methods also involve other strategies like using laxative medication.
“Bulimia” comes from Greek and means “ox hunger”. Of course, this refers to the binge behaviour observed in patients who suffer from Bulimia. The term “nervosa” was added to describe the nervous character of the disorder. The compensatory methods to avoid gaining weight can have harmful effects. And in some cases, Bulimia develops into Anorexia Nervosa which is potentially deadly. It is critical to recognize and diagnose this mental illness as soon as possible, to administer appropriate care, to monitor recovery, and to keep an eye out for any potential medical problems.
Bulimia Symptoms
A pattern of food cravings and compensatory behaviors, such as self-inflicted vomiting or using laxatives or diuretics, is characteristic of bulimia. This cycle might occur multiple times a day. Bulimia sufferers typically have a normal weight. Although their weight is normal, they are unhappy with their bodies. Because of this, they occasionally stop eating completely, going without food or eating irregularly. They frequently miss meals or go on diets. A vicious cycle of not eating, food cravings, binge eating, and self-induced vomiting torments those who are affected. Emotions of shame and guilt are closely linked to the illness. This explains why eating disorders like these are frequently and persistently kept hidden from others.
“Allowed” and “Forbidden” Food Items
Bulimia sufferers make a distinction between “permitted” foods, which are lower in fat and calories, and “forbidden” ones, which are typically quite high in calories. Binge eating sessions that are typically followed by self-induced vomiting are typical of this condition. They eat a lot of food quickly and are unable to stop. Consuming foods that are easily accessible, quick to prepare, heavy in calories, and even “forbidden” is known as binge eating.
Purging and Binge Eating
The binge eating episodes that occur in people with bulimia involve poorly chewing the food with little regard for flavor. The food must able to be thrown up after eating. The binging typically does not stop until a person with bulimia experiences an uneasy fullness, the food runs out, or something outside disturbs you. Episodes of binge eating usually occur in private and are followed by self-induced vomiting.
Bulimia Treatment
Psychotherapy is the main treatment for bulimia. Specifically, the best treatments are family therapy, client-centred therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and psychoanalytic therapy. It is foremost important that the patient has the will and motivation to recover. The psychotherapist and sometimes psychiatrist will make a treatment plan that fits the patient. The main mode of treatment is outpatient care.
Including the Family
The inclusion of the patient’s family in treatment is highly recommended. They can join in individual and group therapy sessions as part of the treatment process. In adolescents, including family can be a crucial part of recovery. Special designed family therapy for eating disorders have shown to be especially successful. Self-help groups can be beneficial in addition to psychotherapy as the primary form of treatment.
Hospitalization
Sometimes it is required for patients with bulimia to be admitted to a hospital. This may be required if the symptoms are very severe, if there are serious personality problems, if there is self-harming behavior, or if there is a danger of suicide. If the patient with bulimia suffers from metabolic or other physical problems like diabetes or Crohn’s disease, medical care is also crucial.
Specific antidepressants are sometimes used to treat bulimia. These sometimes seem to reduce the symptoms of bulimia. In some cases there is also comorbidity with depression and anxiety for example. A psychiatrist can in this case suggest either medication, a combination of therapy or medication.
Dangers
Bulimia can have negative long-term effects that are typically severe and inflict the psyche and body of a person. Gastritis, or the inflammation of the stomach, and in severe situations, stomach perforation, are caused by excessive vomiting. Inflammation of the salivary glands, oesophagitis (oesophageal inflammation), and tooth damage are other long-term consequences of vomiting.
Although bulimics are not usually underweight, they might nevertheless be malnourished. The latter results in loss of vitamins (particularly vitamins B12 and D), microelements, electrolytes, and hormone fluctuations and is brought on by an unbalanced or inadequate diet paired with purging. As a result, bulimic individuals experience osteoporosis, skin diseases, hair loss, and heart and kidney issues.
Because of this it is essential to spot an eating disorder early on to prevent development into worse conditions. The earlier an eating disorder is acknowledged, the easier it will be to treat it.