Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia Nervosa is a very serious eating disorder that affects someone’s body mentally, physically, and emotionally. Bulimia Nervosa is very serious and it can affect anyone of any age or gender. If the problem continues overtime, someone would need to seek medical care.

Background of the Problem:

Bulimia Nervosa, commonly know as bulimia, is a deadly eating disorder (emedicinehealth). Someone with bulimia may binge or purge on food, which means eating great amounts at one time and then forcing themselves to vomit(charlotte observer). People who have bulimia feel like they have lost control over their body, and all they feel is guilt because of their behavior. Someone with bulimia knows their behavior is wrong or abnormal. People with bulimia are often of normal or near-normal weight, which makes them different than someone who is suffering from anorexia (emedicinehealth). Purging is when someone eats a large amount of food at one time and then throws up, or takes laxatives вЂ" in pill or liquid form that speeds up the movement of food through their body leading to a bowel movement (womenshealth). Sometimes a life changing or stressful event can cause someone to develop bulimia. A life changing event that could cause someone to have bulimia is rape because after that kind of event takes place, they no longer feel comfortable about themselves. Stress can be a really big factor in some cases of bulimia, some people get so stressed that they vomit and if it is continuous it is also considered to be bulimia. Someone with bulimia’s personality traits may drastically change; he or she may be very moody, have problems expressing anger, or may have impulsive behavior. Low- self control and Low-self esteem are factors for people with bulimia. Someone with low-self control may be confronted with their lack of control. Lack of control refers to the lack or control they have against impulses or urges to vomit or use laxatives. This poor impulse control is clue to a low tolerance for frustration and anxiety. Binging is simply one more impulse they have difficulty controlling (Thompson 10).

Symptoms and Signs:

Signs of a person with bulimia a may be, being overweight or having a normal weight. This makes it hard to know if someone actually has bulimia (womenshealth). One of the first signs or symptoms is vomiting. Someone who vomits may have swollen cheeks or jaws, scrapes or scars on knuckles, teeth that look clear, broken blood vessels in eyes, and a distorted body image. It may also make someone not act like themselves. For example, the person may be moody or sad. Bulimia is a very harmful to every part of the body. (womenshealth). Although, there are many warning signs to look for, someone with bulimia may use extreme measures to lose weight. Most of all, people who have bulimia use drastic measures, such as using pills or taking pills to urinate or to have a bowel movement. An obvious sign is someone going to the bathroom directly after eating, usually to vomit. Another sign that is also considered to be bulimic, is if they workout or exercise excessively, even when hurt or tired (womenshealth). Self induced vomiting can cause many signs and symptoms in itself. With dental erosion, acids destroy tooth enamel. Oral and hand trauma is another sign; vomiting with a finger or object can cause cuts in the mouth and throat. Cuts on the knuckles cold happen because of repeated contact with the front teeth. Esophageal and pharyngeal complications because of repeated contact with gastric acids can cause the throat to become irritated. Heartburn and a sore throat may also occur (Medina 14). More than likely, the earliest and most obvious sign of bulimia is an over concern with weight and body shape. People with bulimia will try to hide their binging and purging behavior from others. This secrecy often makes it difficult to identify the actual problem until a serious complication from the physical self-abuse occurs. People with bulimia may complain of general weakness, fatigue, abdominal pain, and loss of menstrual cycle. Someone suffering from bulimia may even complain of vomiting or diarrhea without revealing that it is self-induced (emedicinehealth). Bulimia tears the body apart and it ruins it inside and out. Some of the internal problems bulimia can cause are anemia in the blood. Next, it hurts the heart by causing irregular heart beat. Body fluids leave the body faster and it causes dehydration. Intestines are affected, and cause constipation, or diarrhea, and bloating. Brain and hormones are also affected. When hormones of a female suffering from bulimia are affected, their period is irregular or absent. When someone’s brain is affected, they have a fear of gaining weight, low self-esteem, and shame, which all leads to depression. Other complications that may occur are mouth and throat sores, strained muscles, and stomachache. Inside the mouth, gastric acids eat away at the teeth and cause cavities, decay, and gum disease. The throat is torn and sore from the acid. Muscles are weak which makes someone feel tired. The stomach develops ulcers and they are very painful. The external problems bulimia causes are scars on knuckles and dry skin. After someone has been vomiting, their cheeks become sore and swollen (womenshealth). The causes of bulimia are not exact, but a number of issues seem to influence the behavior. Studies have shown eating disorders occur more frequently in relatives of people with bulimia than others. This frequency appears to be related to genetics, but family influences may also be important. Researchers have suggested that altered levels of the chemical serotonin levels can be related to the development of clinical depression. Experts agree that cultural factors are very important in the development of eating disorders. Modern society’s emphasis on health particularly everyone’s desire to be thin, can greatly influence these who seek acceptance of others.

Assistance for the Problem:

Treatment of bulimia usually involves counseling and behavioral therapy. Most eating disorders are not about food but about self- esteem and self- perception. Therapy is most effective when it concentrates on the issues that cause the behavior, rather than on the behavior itself. Individual therapy, combined with group therapy and family therapy, is often the most helpful. Group therapy is usually the most effective, because people