Education is an essential first step in the effort to heal from eating disorders. Understanding the signs, symptoms, and effects of eating disorders can help you get the right type and level of care for yourself or a loved one.

Understanding Bulimia

Learn about bulimia nervosa

Bulimia nervosa is a type of eating disorder where individuals will eat an excessive amount of food in one sitting and then take extreme measures to rid their bodies of that food. Those who are suffering from bulimia lose their ability to control the amount of food that they consume, which often results in a sense of shame and disgust. In order to compensate, people with bulimia will purge their food by forcing themselves to vomit or by using diuretics, laxatives, and/or enemas.

Bulimia causes individuals to experience a preoccupation with food, while also making them hypersensitive to their body weight and overall appearance. By purging the food they eat, they are attempting to prevent themselves from gaining weight. Yet, the behaviors become a pattern, and that pattern can be extremely difficult to break without the help of trained professionals.

Statistics

Bulimia nervosa statistics

The National Institute of Mental Health, the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, and Eating Disorders Coalition have reported the following statistics on the extent and prevalence of bulimia:

The prevalence of bulimia is five times higher in females than among males.
Eating disorders like bulimia have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness.
Approximately 5% of women in America will suffer from bulimia at some point during their lifetime.
It is estimated that only one-third of people who have an eating disorder like bulimia receive treatment.

Causes & Risk Factors

Causes and risk factors for bulimia nervosa

There is not any one specific cause that triggers the development of bulimia nervosa. However, researchers have found that there are certain factors that can increase a person’s risk for struggling with bulimia, including the following:

Having a family member who has a history of bulimia or other mental health concerns
Personal history of mental health concerns (e.g., anxiety, depression)
Being female
Experiencing a trauma
Being the victim of physical, sexual, and/or emotional abuse
Exposure to environments where being thin is celebrated

Signs & Symptoms

Symptoms of bulimia nervosa

People who suffer from bulimia nervosa often present within a normal range for body weight. As a result, the fact that they are struggling with this disorder is not always apparent to those around them. However, there are certain signs and symptoms that could indicate that someone is struggling with bulimia:

Behavioral symptoms:

Eating excessive amounts of food in one sitting
Exercising excessively
Hiding food
Going to the bathroom immediately after eating
Frequently using laxatives, diuretics, or enemas
Verbalizing feelings of disgust with their body
Fainting spells
Isolating themselves from family and friends

Physical symptoms:

Bloodshot eyes
Abdominal pain
Ulcers
Swollen cheeks
Acid reflux
Irregular heartbeat
Mouth sores
Tooth discoloration or decay
Fluctuations in weight
Menstrual irregularity
Fatigue
Dizziness

Mental symptoms:

Irritability
Fear of gaining weight
Obsession or preoccupation with food, weight, and body shape
Low self-esteem
Anxiety
Depression
Agitation
Drastic shifts in mood

Effects

Effects of bulimia nervosa

The effects of bulimia can be life-altering and life-threatening. If a person who is suffering from bulimia nervosa does not receive effective treatment, they are at risk for suffering from the following: