Bulimia is an eating disorder. People with bulimia are overly concerned with their body shape and weight. They will overeat (binge) and then purge by vomiting or using a laxative or enema to maintain body weight. An affected person may also fast, follow extreme diets, or overexercise.
People with bulimia often feel a lack of control during their eating binges. Food is often eaten quickly and secretly. This is followed by feelings of guilt and shame and the desire to purge to remove the excess calories.
Bulimia is more common in young women. But men can also develop it. Several factors may lead a person to become bulimic. Some of these include:
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Society's emphasis on being thin.
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Family attitudes toward diet and weight control when growing up.
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Family history of bulimia.
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Brain chemistry.
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Negative emotions or traumas.
People with bulimia often have an average weight, at least part of the time. But food and weight gain are a constant concern and may get in the way of other activities.
If you have bulimia, it can severely damage your body. Certain chemicals in your blood (electrolytes) can become out of balance and you can become dehydrated. These problems can affect the heart when they are severe. They can cause an irregular heartbeat and even sudden death. In rare cases, binging and purging can damage the esophagus and stomach. This can cause tears or rupture.
Symptoms of bulimia include:
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Severe weight loss.
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Vomiting and diarrhea.
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Indigestion, acid reflux, heartburn, or belly pain.
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Blood in vomit or stool.
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Fast, slow, or irregular heart rate.
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Trouble breathing.
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Lack of energy.
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Confusion.
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Fainting.
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Seizures.
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Skin color changes, dry skin.
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Loss of the enamel on the front teeth.
Treatment involves both individual and group therapy along with nutritional counseling. Antidepressants may be used. With motivation and good treatment, people do recover from this illness.
Home care
Here is what you can do at home:
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If you have been prescribed medicine, take it every day even if you think you don’t need it.
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Along with seeing a therapist or counselor, talk about your feelings and thoughts with a friend or family member who supports you.
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Keep your appointments with your doctor or therapist. During your visit, be completely honest about your binging and purging habits.
Follow-up care
Follow up with your doctor as advised. For more information, contact:
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National Alliance on Mental Illness at www.nami.org or 800-950-6264
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National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders at www.anad.org or 888-375-7767
When to contact your doctor
Contact your doctor right away if:
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You have thoughts of harming yourself or another.
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You're unable to take care of yourself.
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You have depression or anxiety that gets worse.
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Your binge eating episodes get worse. This means either the number of episodes increases or the amount of food eaten increases.
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You're feeling out of control.
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You have dizziness, weakness, or fainting.
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You have a fast or irregular heartbeat (palpitations).
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There's blood in your vomit or stool (red or black color).
Call 988 in a crisis
If you are in a crisis or have thoughts of suicide or self-harm, call or text
