Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia Nervosa is a psychological and severe life-threatening eating disorder in which the individual engages in bingeing, followed by an attempt to avoid gaining weight by purging what was consumed. When someone is engaged in bingeing, they will eat a large amount of food, in a short period of time, and often feel very “out of control” or “numb” in the process.
Following the bingeing behavior, the individual often feels intense panic, and frantically engages in purging behaviors to prevent weight gain, or “undo” the effects of the binge. Methods of purging include vomiting, excessive use of laxatives or diuretics, and excessive exercise.
The individual with Bulimia Nervosa can experience varying emotional states which parallel the physical symptoms. When they experience difficult feelings or issues, bingeing helps them experience a sense of numbing or disconnect from their emotions. The bingeing process eventually triggers intense feelings, such as fear or shame, which leaves the individual frantic to purge these emotions as they purge what they have binged.
Teens and adults with bulimia may also exhibit the following behaviors:
- Feeling out of control while eating
- Secrecy or hiding food
- Alternating between overeating and fasting
- Eating unusually large quantities of food with no obvious weight change
- Going to the bathroom after meals
- Use of diet pills, laxatives
- Excessive exercise, especially after eating
- Calluses on knuckles
- Water retention or swollen cheeks
- Dental issues — recession in gums and teeth
- Fluctuations in weight
- Depression, lethargy
- Anxiety and social isolation