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Bulimia

Note: Throughout this information, we use "she" when referring to a person with bulimia. However, bulimia is becoming increasingly prevalent among males. This information on bulimia is also applicable to men.

Bulimia is very serious and has an impact on both physical and mental health. Left untreated, bulimia can be fatal. People develop bulimia as a way of dealing with the conflicts, pressures, and stresses of their lives. Bulimia may be used as a way to express control when the rest of one's life seems out of control.

What is Bulimia?

Bulimia is the repeated cycle of out-of-control eating followed by some form of purging. Bulimia is a serious eating disorder which can be fatal. The purging associated with bulimia may be self-induced vomiting, excessive use of laxatives or diuretics, or obsessive exercising. Women with bulimia often also feel out of control in other areas of their lives besides food. Women suffering from bulimia may spend money excessively, abuse drugs or alcohol, or engage in chaotic relationships.

Bulimia can have severe medical consequences including dental and esophageal problems, kidney damage, chemical imbalance, and an overall loss of energy and vitality. Bulimia can even prove fatal.

Bulimia Warning Signs

There are many warning signs which indicate that someone may be suffering from bulimia. A person with bulimia may exhibit one, all, or any combination of these warning signs. Becoming aware of these warning signs is the first step in helping someone suffering from bulimia. When you help someone with bulimia, you may end up saving her life.

Common warning signs of bulimia:

• A person suffering from bulimia engages in binge eating and cannot voluntarily stop.

• A person with bulimia uses the bathroom frequently after meals.

• A person with bulimia reacts to emotional stress by overeating.

• Menstrual irregularities are a sign of bulimia.

• Swollen glands are a sign of bulimia.

• A person with bulimia experiences frequent fluctuations in weight.

• A person suffering from bulimia cannot voluntarily stop eating.

• A person with bulimia is obsessively concerned with her weight.

• A person suffering from bulimia attempts to adhere to diets, but generally fails.

• Guilt or shame about eating is a sign of bulimia.

• A person suffering from bulimia feels out of control.

• Depressive moods are a sign of bulimia.

How can I help someone with bulimia?

You may know someone suffering from bulimia. You may suspect that someone you know has bulimia but are not certain. You may feel that you are beginning to exhibit some warning signs for bulimia. What should you do?

If you feel that you or someone you know may be suffering from bulimia, it is important to seek professional counseling as quickly as possible. If untreated, bulimia will become part of a destructive cycle which can continue for years and eventually lead to death.

Talking to a bulimia treatment professional is the first step toward successful recovery. For more information on bulimia treatment options in your area, please call The Renfrew Center at 1-800-RENFREW. Confidentiality is strictly observed and most insurance plans are accepted.

Bulimia Nervosa, also known as simply bulimia, is an eating disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating (bingeing) as well as a compensatory behavior intended to prevent excessive weight gain. According to the National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH), 0.6% of the U.S. population will be affected by Bulimia during their lifetime. Bulimia affects more females than males, with a prevalence of 0.5% in women and only 0.1% in men.

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