A Global Virtual Classroom Project : GVC1210

Bulimia Nervosa

By Maria C. of PJMS

Bulimia Nervosa is a type of eating disorder that can be fatal and life threatening. This disorder was acknowledged in 1979; however bulimia started a long time because there are many texts about binging and purging that are from A.D. 400-500. The U.S Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health stated that “around 85-90% of bulimics are women.” According to Jen Syrkiewicz, who wrote the article Facts About Bulimia Nervosa, “bulimia affects 10 times more women than men, and about 8 women in 100 are bulimic.” She also stated that this eating disorder can occur at any age, but it usually occurs by the age of 19.

Most people who become bulimic realize their eating habits aren’t healthy, so they isolate themselves from others and eat in secret. When they are consuming food, they eat large amounts of food with high calories, sometimes until they are painfully full and can no longer eat. That is called binge eating. Bulimics feel that they can no longer control how much food they eat, and they feel a guilty and ashamed of all the food they ate.

Bulimics do anything to prevent from gaining weight such as excessive exercise, forcing him/herself to vomit, or using any type of water pill (laxatives, enemas, or diuretics) to get rid of all the food that had consumed. That is called purging. They get rid of everything that is in their stomachs. They may do this many times a day, but some may not realize the dangers and damage this can cause to their life and their body.

The causes of bulimia differ from each person that becomes bulimic. If someone in the family was or is bulimic, it is possible for another family member to become bulimic too. Other causes include family issues, society problems, life change, stressful events occurring, personal traits, trauma, or cultural factors.

Bulimia is a very dangerous eating disorder. It can lead to many terrible effects in the heart and blood such as anemia, low blood pressure and pulse, irregular heartbeat, weakened heart muscle, and even heart failure. Not only does it affect your heart but it also affects your brain, cheeks, kidney, skin, intestines, stomach, throat, esophagus, eyes, mouth, teeth, body fluids, hormones, and even your hands and feet. In other words, it affects your whole body! Many bulimics don’t know these dangers. They don’t realize how much this can hurt them or even kill them.

Bulimia is different for everyone that gets it. In children and teenagers, the symptoms are the same: Isolating him/herself, anger moments without a cause, failing grade, and suicidal thoughts. In adults they don’t differ much from children and teenagers. Adults commonly have depression, suicidal thoughts, job loss, and separating themselves from everyone around them such as their family. Not every bulimic has all these symptoms. Some also base their self-esteem on their body weight, shape, and how they look. Other symptoms may include having an unreasonable personality.

There are many signs to tell if you or a loved one is bulimic. Usually, the person would use the bathroom right after eating a large meal. You may also notice a disappearance in food since bulimics often eat in secret. Other symptoms may include the need to use the bathroom immediately after eating and discolored teeth.

Overcoming bulimia is very difficult. If someone feels like him/herself or anyone is developing an eating disorder, they should definitely contact a doctor or a mental health professional. Jen Syrkiewicz said the process of overcoming bulimia is quite long. Many bulimics who are trying to become healthy again usually go to many different types of therapy. Jen Syrkiewicz listed the different types of therapy they may have to take such as CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) and IPT (Interpersonal Therapy). CBT and IPT will also help with their self esteem and confidence.

There is medication available for bulimia like SSRIs. Jen Syrkiewicz wrote,”They (the medication) are also used for eating disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety, and social phobia”. Unfortunately, Syrkiewicz also said that if the bulimia becomes very bad for the person, they will have to be brought to a hospital.

Nobody can actually prevent themselves from getting this eating disorder, but there are things people can do that will help decrease the risk of becoming bulimic. People should inform themselves and learn about this eating disorder (and possibly other eating disorders) and the dangers and effects it can have on them. They should also learn and have healthy eating habits. Many people often obsess over their flaws, but they shouldn’t. Nobody is perfect. Thinking of yourself in a positive way and having good mental health will help reduce the risk of becoming bulimic or even reduce the risk of getting other disorders. People should set good goals for themselves, and be happy in what they accomplish. There are many healthy ways to lose weight, and starving yourself and purging isn’t one of them. If a person feels hunger, they can grab a small healthy snack such as an apple or some carrots.

Works Cited

ADAM Board. "Bulimia Nervosa." University of Maryland Medical Center. UMMC, 2011. Web. 1 Feb. 2013. <http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/bulimia-nervosa-000020.htm>.

ADAM Board. "Bulimia." Pub Med Health. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 13 Feb. 2012. Web. 1 Feb. 2013. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001381/>.

Boston College Eating Awareness Team. "Eating - Facts on Bulimia Nervosa." Boston College. Boston College, 28 Jan. 2002. Web. 25 Feb. 2013. <http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/svp/uhs/eating/eating-bulimiafacts.htm>.

ECRI. "Can Bulimia Nervosa Be Prevented?" Bulimia Nervosa Resource Guide. ECRI Institute, 2013. Web. 1 Feb. 2013. <http://www.bulimiaguide.org/summary/detail.aspx?doc_id=9456>.
Mashangel. "Symptoms of Bulimia." Mashangel. Mashangel, 2012. Web. 1 Feb. 2013. <http://mashangel.com/health/bulimia-nervosa/symptoms-of-bulimia/>.

Office on Women's Health. "Bulimia Nervosa Fact Sheet." Womenshealth.gov. Womenshealth.gov, 15 June 2009. Web. 1 Feb. 2013. <http://womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/bulimia-nervosa.cfm>.

Powell, John. "Bulimia Nervosa." Netdoctor. The National Magazine Company Ltd, 29 Mar. 2011. Web. 1 Feb. 2013. <http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/bulimianervosa.htm>.

Smith, Melinda, and Jeanne Seagal. "Anorexia Nervosa." Helguide.org. Helpguide.org, Nov. 2012. Web. 1 Feb. 2013. <http://www.helpguide.org/mental/anorexia_signs_symptoms_causes_treatment.htm>.

Syrkiewicz, Jen. "Facts About Bulimia Nervosa." Suite101.com. Suite 101, 8 Nov. 2008. Web. 25 Feb. 2013. <http://suite101.com/article/facts-about-bulimia-nervosa-a76463>.

Third Age. "Bulimia Nervosa Prevention." ThirdAge.com. ThirdAge Media, LLC, 2013. Web. 25 Feb. 2013. <http://www.thirdage.com/hc/c/bulimia-nervosa-prevention>.

Web MD. "Bulimia Nervosa-Symptoms." WebMD. WebMD, LLC, 2013. Web. 1 Feb. 2013. <http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/bulimia-nervosa/bulimia-nervosa-symptoms>.

Williams, Debbie. "The History of Bulimia Nervosa." EZineArticles.com. Spark Net, 6 Mar. 2011. Web. 1 Feb. 2013. <http://ezinearticles.com/?The-History-of-Bulimia-Nervosa&id=6688388>.

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