About Eating Disorders
What Is Bulimia Nervosa?
Bulimia nervosa is characterized by recurrent binge eating episodes and persistent, inappropriate compensatory behaviors with the hope of avoiding weight gain. Binge eating episodes involve eating, in a discrete period of time, an amount of food that is objectively larger than most individuals would eat in a similar period of time under similar circumstances. Such episodes of bulimia are accompanied by feelings of self-loathing, disgust, or guilt and a sense of lack of control. Individuals engage in often dangerous compensatory behaviors that may include purging, fasting, compulsive exercise, and/or the use of laxatives or diuretics. Individuals with bulimia nervosa may appear healthy, even though they are very ill. Additionally, their self-concept is unduly influenced by body weight and shape.
Table of Contents
What is bulimia nervosa?
What causes bulimia nervosa?
What should you look for if you worry that someone has bulimia nervosa?
What are the risks of bulimia nervosa?
How can you recover from bulimia nervosa?
What causes bulimia nervosa?
Like all eating disorders, bulimia nervosa develops over a period of time as a result of a complicated blend of genetic, biological, and environmental factors. There is no single cause to point to and, despite common misconceptions, families and communities of support are not to blame. In fact, they are often recovery’s strongest ally. Many individuals have genetic predispositions to bulimia nervosa that, depending on environmental influences, may or may not be awakened over the course of their lifetime. Communities of color are disproportionately affected by bulimia nervosa.
- Malnutrition-induced changes in physiological processes and altered hunger and fullness signals
- Experiencing a traumatic event may tip someone into bulimia
- Genetic predisposition and societal pressures (e.g., drive for thinness)
- Lack of environmental control and persistent, extreme stress, or minority stress can lead to bulimia
What should you look for if you worry that someone has bulimia nervosa?
Being familiar with the signs and symptoms of bulimia nervosa can help you champion early intervention and recovery through bulimia nervosa treatment. Watch for elusive behaviors around mealtimes, inflammation around the mouth and knuckles, exercise-routine rigidity, hiding food, and/or immediately going to the bathroom after a meal. Associated disorders, or “comorbidities,” include major depressive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar I and II disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and substance use disorder.
- Inappropriate conflation of body weight and shape with identity can be a sign of someone struggling with bulimia
- Distorted body image and fear of weight gain
- Eating alone or in secret and consistent retreats after meals is often characteristic of bulimia
- Extreme exercise-routine rigidity, refusal to hydrate, and overuse injuries
- Abrasions or scars on knuckles, inflammation around mouth, and burst blood vessels in eyes often accompany bulimia
What are the risk of bulimia nervosa?
Bulimia nervosa can have extreme medical and physiological consequences that may or may not resolve completely during recovery.
- Dangerous, potentially lethal electrolyte imbalances
- Bulimia can result in impaired decision-making and impulse control
- Delayed wound healing
- Tooth decay, muscle fatigue, and irregular bowel activity
- Heart palpitations, low pulse, and low blood pressure may be consequences of bulimia
- In males: decreased frequency of erections and nocturnal emissions
- In females: polycystic ovarian syndrome, endometrial cancer, amenorrhea, difficulty conceiving, and if pregnant, increased risk for miscarriage and postpartum depression
How can you recover from bulimia nervosa?
If you or a loved one are struggling with binge eating and purging, don’t wait to reach out for help. The earlier bulimia is treated, the better the outcomes tend to be.
At Veritas Collaborative, we work with you to create an individualized care plan so you or your child with bulimia get the right treatment at the right time. We offer a full continuum of care, which includes inpatient, residential, partial hospitalization (PHP), intensive outpatient (IOP), outpatient, and virtual programs for children, adolescents, and adults. This allows us to provide best-in-class care and support throughout your recovery journey, even as your needs change. Our treatment programs focus on real-life skills, including hands-on nutrition and culinary experiences that you can take with you for lasting recovery. We encourage family involvement and offer family-based therapy and educational support for children and adolescents.
Key Takeaways
- Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors, such as self-induced vomiting or excessive exercise.
- The exact causes of bulimia nervosa are unknown, but it is believed to be caused by a combination of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors.
- Bulimia nervosa can have serious physical and psychological consequences, including electrolyte imbalances, gastrointestinal problems, depression, and anxiety.
- Treatment for bulimia nervosa typically involves a combination of therapy, medication, and nutritional counseling.
- Recovery from bulimia nervosa is possible with appropriate treatment, and it is important to seek help as soon as possible if you or someone you know is struggling with this disorder.
Updated March 2023