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Bulimia
nervosa is characterized by recurring periods of binge eating,
during which large amounts of food are consumed in a short period of
time -- sometimes as many as 20,000 calories during the course of a
single binge. The bulimic is aware that his or her eating is out of
control. He or she is fearful of not being able to stop eating, and
is afraid of being fat. The bulimic usually feels depressed and
guilty after a binge. Frequently, the binges are followed by
purging, through self-induced vomiting, abuse of laxatives and/or
diuretics, or periods of fasting. The bulimic's weight is usually in
a normal or somewhat above normal range; it may fluctuate more than
10 pounds due to alternating binges and fasts.
Source: ANAD
(National Association of Anorexia and Associated Disorders)
www.anad.org
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1. |
Recurrent
episodes of binge eating. An episode of binge eating is
characterized by both of the following:
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eating, in a discrete period of time (e.g., within any
2-hour period), an amount of food that is definitely larger
than most people would eat during a similar period of time
and similar circumstances |
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a
sense of lack of control over eating during the episode
(e.g. a feeling tha tone cannot stop eating or control what
or how much one is eating) |
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2. |
Recurrent
inappropriate compensatory behavior in order to prevent weight
gain, such as self-induced vomiting; misuse of laxatives,
diuretics, enemas or other medications; fasting; or excessive
exercise. |
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3. |
The binge
eating and inappropriate compensatory behaviors both occur, on
average, at least twice a week for three months. |
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4. |
Self-evaluation is unduly influenced by body shape and weight. |
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5. |
The
disturbance does not occur exclusively during episodes of
anorexia nervosa. |
Purging
Type
During the
current episode of Bulimia Nervosa, the person has regularly engaged
in self-induced vomiting or the misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or
enemas.
Non-purging Type
During the
current episode of Bulimia Nervosa, the person has used other
inappropriate compensatory behaviors, such as fasting or excessive
exercise, but has not regularly engaged in self-induced vomiting or
the misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or enemas.
Source:
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV,
American Psychiatric Association
As with anorexia, there are many health
problems caused by bulimia, including tearing of the esophagus,
electrolyte imbalance, severe tooth decay, eye blood vessel
hemorrhages, kidney damage, liver damage and a weakened immune
system. And this does not take into account the psychological
problems caused by bulimia (or any type of disordered eating)
including loss of confidence, loss of self-esteem, depression, guilt
and shame.
Unlike the slow, silent process of anorexia,
bulimia is a violent cycle - the 'high' one experiences during
bingeing, followed by the 'low' of fear, followed by a 'rush' of
purging, followed by more guilt, shame and fear. The important thing
is to start breaking that cycle. For help in doing that, we highly
recommend you talk with someone.
Some steps to take:
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1. |
Read the Finding Treatment
article on this site to get ideas about who to talk to |
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2. |
Visit
www.somethingfishy.org to find a counselor, therapist or
treatment center in your area |
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3. |
Visit your primary care physician or ob/gyn and tell them
exactly how you're eating/exercising/dieting |
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4. |
If you
are under eighteen, tell your parents or an adult you can trust
about your fears of weight gain and/or obsession with thinness |
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5. |
Read
"Binge No More" or "Overcoming Binge Eating" for keys to
overcoming the urge to binge and purge |
Even though it may seem impossible to break the cycle you're trapped
in, please know that others have done it successfully, and you can
too. It will take hard work, determination, and faith, but you can
do it. And the benefits of being free will exceed even the highest
'high' you may have felt before.
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