What are Eating Disorders

Eating can be controlled or affected by a range of factors, such as appetite, the types and quantities of foods available, family, peer, and cultural practices or pressures, eating habits, and voluntary desires to control eating.
Eating Disorders are serious disturbances in eating behavior, such as extreme and unhealthy food intake reduction or severe overeating. In addition to the eating aspects, those who suffer from Eating Disorders in other ways. For example, they may also have feelings of distress, depression, or are extremely concerned about their body shape or weight.
In today’s society, current fashion trends, sales campaigns for special foods, and various activities and professions promote an often unrealistically lean body type, where body weight is leaner than that needed or recommended for health reasons.
These pressures can induce people to eat less than the recommended amounts, and lead to a range of eating disorders. Researchers continue to investigate the link between voluntary behaviors, such as eating smaller or larger amounts of food than normal, and the time when such activities move beyond the person’s control and develop into an Eating Disorder.
Eating Disorders frequently develop during adolescence or early adulthood. However, recent research suggests that their onset can also occur during childhood or later in adulthood.
Eating disorders frequently occur in conjunction with other psychiatric disorders, such as depression, substance abuse, and anxiety disorders.
Females are much more likely than males to develop an eating disorder. For example, approximately one-sixth of people with Anorexia or Bulimia are male, and approximately one-third of people with Binge-Eating Disorder are male.
People with eating disorders may experience a range of serious physical health complications, including serious heart conditions and kidney failure which may lead to death.
It is important to note that Eating Disorders are not due to a failure of will or behavior. In fact, Eating Disorders are now known to be real, treatable medical illnesses in which certain harmful eating patterns become dominant. Recognition of eating disorders as real and treatable diseases is very important.
Appetite control and the affect of prolonged overeating or starvation is a highly complex area, and research is continuing in these areas. Eventually, such research may lead to new and improved treatments for eating disorders.
Eating disorders are not new illnesses. They have been present in one form or another for centuries.

The main types of Eating Disorders are:

• Anorexia
• Bulimia
• Binge-Eating Disorder. (Each of these is discussed below)

Other Eating Disorders

There is a wide variety of other disordered eating patterns, and not all people with eating disorders have a clear cut diagnosis or exhibit the full range of symptoms for a particular eating disorder.
For example, anorexia and bulimia may co-exist in the one person at the one time, or they may develop from one to the other over time. In addition, some people may have a very restricted food intake without fulfilling all of the criteria for Anorexia.
These conditions are no less serious than other eating disorders. Intervention and treatment are still required.

Risk Factors of eating disorders

Eating Disorders are most commonly experienced by adolescent females and young women, but they also occur (at much lower rates) in males and people of all ages and across all socio-economic and cultural backgrounds.
People with Eating Disorders generally tend to exhibit one or more of the following:

1. Low self esteem.
2. A need to seek the approval of others.
3. Difficulties in expressing needs and feelings, including anger and anxiety.
4. Perfectionism
5. Difficulties being assertive with others.
6. A desire to diet.

There is no single cause for any Eating Disorder. Indeed, the causes for Eating Disorders are often highly complex, and include a range of diverse factors, including: social / cultural factors, psychological factors, biological factors, family factors, and, various other external or precipitating factors which all play a part, to varying degrees, in causing the Eating Disorder in different people. Each of these are discussed below.

Social / Cultural Factors include:

idealization of thinness,focus on appearance,weight loss, fashion, fitness cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries etc, media representations of happy, thin, successful people, socialization of women and men.
And these can create enormous pressures on people, especially young people, who feel a desperate need to conform to the portrayed stereotype for thin, successful people.

Family Factors

A range of Family Factors can have an enormous influence on a person, and can be incredibly important during as person’s recovery from an Eating Disorder. Family Factors include:
Communication within the family, such as how the family deals with feelings.
Attitudes concerning the importance of appearance, achievement, etc.
The Parent’s own body image attitudes and dieting behavior.

Biological Factors

Biological Factors may include:
A person’s predisposition to imbalances in serotonin (a neuro-transmitter involved in mood and brain function).
Reduced blood flow to the temporal lobe.
Fasting, over-exercise, and vomiting may affect chemicals which are involved in mood control.

Individual Factors A range of Individual Factors can also play an important role in the development of an Eating Disorder, such as:

• People with high or overly high personal expectations
• Belief that for someone to love them, they must be perfect.
• Self-esteem issues
• High need for approval from others
• Social anxiety
• People who find it difficult to express their feelings or needs.
• People who find it difficult to be assertive.
• A range of personality factors, which may be affected by malnutrition.

A range of External or Precipitating Factors may also be involved in the onset of an Eating Disorder, such as:

• A life crisis, such as a family loss, a friendship loss, moving to a new home, school or job, personal disappointment etc.
• Accumulation of relatively minor stress causing factors. In addition, cultural, family, and other individual factors may intensify at various times, causing heightened levels of stress.
• Dieting
• A history of abuse.
• Uncertainty

Warning Signs

In addition to the signs and symptoms for each type of Eating Disorder , a range of warning signs can also indicate the possible development of an Eating Disorder. The possible early warning signs of Eating Disorders may include one or more of the following:   

• Adoption of slow eating strategies, such as eating with a teaspoon.
• Anxiety.
• Avoidance of social situations involving food.
• Depression.
• Dieting or overeating.
• Disappearance of large amounts of food, food wrappers in bins, and so on.
• Excessive or fluctuating exercise patterns.
• Faintness, dizziness, fatigue.
• Fast eating.
• Fear of becoming overweight.
• Feelings of being out of control with respect to food.
• Hoarding food.
• Increased interest in preparing food for others.
• Irritability.
• Loss or disturbance of menstrual periods (females).
• Making frequent excuses not to eat. Mood changes or mood swings.
• Obsessive rituals, such as only drinking out of a certain cup, only eating certain foods on certain days, and so on.
• Over eating.
• Preoccupation with ‘good’ and ‘bad’ foods.
• Pre-occupation with body appearance or weight. Radical change in clothing style.
• Regular trips to the bathroom after meals – may be to regurgitate the food just eaten?
• Sensitivity to the cold, especially when this id because someone is too thin.
• Sleep disturbances.
• Social withdrawal and social isolation.
• Spending most of the meal time rearranging food on plate, without actually consuming much of it.
• Wearing baggy clothes.
• Weight loss or change, mostly due to dieting, but sometimes from a stressful situation or illness.

Many of the behaviors that are associated with Eating Disorders are secretive, hard to spot, or can be dismissed as someone "going through puberty". As such, it is not uncommon for an Eating Disorder to go undetected. In addition, some Eating Disorders are hard to detect for other reasons. For example, Bulimia can be very difficult to detect as the sufferer may be of normal or fluctuating body weight, and they may be good at hiding or disguising the signs and symptoms that may associate them with Bulimia. The symptoms of an Eating Disorder may be the first indications that the sufferer is experiencing psychological problems and distress. Some people exhibit many signs of an Eating Disorder, while others may exhibit only a few.

Complications and Effects

Eating Disorders can place a tremendous emotional strain on sufferers. If left unattended and untreated, Eating Disorders can destroy the quality of a sufferer’s life and be potentially life threatening.
For example, the complications associated with Anorexia and other Eating Disorders can have an extreme affect on a person’s health and well being, and the complications may include cardiac arrest, suicide, and a range of other extreme health, physical, and/or psychological issues.
For most Eating Disorder sufferers, however, the complications will hopefully be a lot more mild than this, but they may include:
Complications caused by Food Restriction and Starvation
Complications caused by Vomiting
Complications caused by Laxative Misuse
Emotional and Psychological Consequences of Eating Disorders
Each of these complication areas are discussed below.

Complications caused by Food Restriction and Starvation

Food Restriction and Starvation can be a symptom of several types of Eating Disorder, especially Anorexia. The complications caused by Food Restriction and Starvation may include any of the following:
Abdominal pain.
Anemia (iron deficiency).
Cardiac irregularities.
Changes in hair, skin and nails. For example, nails may become dry and brittle.
Constipation or diarrhea.
Easy bruising.
Fainting.
Fertility problems and even infertility.
Growth of down-like body hair.
Headaches.
Heartburn.
Hormonal irregularities.
Hypoglycemia (low blood glucose levels) which can cause confusion, illogical thinking, coma, shakiness, irritability and fatigue.
Kidney dysfunction.
Muscle wasting and/or weakness
Oedema (retention of body fluid giving a ‘puffy’ appearance – see section 16 Glossary of Terms).
Reduced bone density, possibly leading to osteoporosis.
Reduced concentration, memory and thinking ability.
Reduced metabolic rate leading to slow heart rate, low blood pressure, reduced body temperature and bluish colored extremities.
Severe sensitivity to the cold.
Stunting of growth and/or height.

Complications caused by Vomiting

Vomiting can be a symptom of several types of Eating Disorder, especially Anorexia and Bulimia. The complications caused by vomiting may include any of the following:
Abdominal pain.
Bloating.
Cramps – see electrolyte imbalance.
Electrolyte imbalance resulting in cardiac arrhythmia, muscle fatigue, and cramps.
Enlarged salivary glands.
Erosion of tooth enamel.
Heartburn.
Indigestion.
Muscle fatigue – see electrolyte imbalance.
Sore throat.

Complications caused by Laxative Misuse

Laxative misuse can be a symptom of several types of Eating Disorder, especially Anorexia and Bulimia. The complications caused by laxative misuse may include any of the following:
Abdominal and stomach cramps.
Bleeding, this can lead to anemia.
Bowel disease.
Bowel problems.
Constipation.
Dehydration – which can be very serious and may impair body functioning.
Diarrhea.
Electrolyte imbalance resulting in cardiac arrhythmia, muscle fatigue, and cramps.
Weakening of the bowel which may to lead difficultly with bowel movements.

Emotional and Psychological Consequences of Eating Disorders

A range of motional and psychological consequences can be caused by all types of Eating Disorder, and the resulting complications may include any of the following:
Anxiety and anxiety disorders
Depression
Difficulty with relationships
Drug abuse and drug misuse
Guilt
Impaired achievements at school, work, and so on.
Irritability.
Lack of assertiveness
moodiness
Obsessive behavior
Reduced quality of life
Self-dislike and even self-loathing
Sensitivity to criticism
Social isolation and social withdrawal
Suicidal tendencies, thoughts, or behavior

Prevention

Preventing Eating Disorder can be very difficult. However, ensuring that your friends, family and children are emotionally and mentally prepared to deal with the challenges of modern life and are able to confront the potential causes of Eating Disorders in general (see section 9 Causes above) is a good start towards preventing the development of Eating Disorders in the people you care most about. For example, regularly discuss sensible eating and nutritional habits with your children and family and ensure that your children are exposed to realistic body images.
If you suspect that any of your family or friends may have developed, or may be developing, an eating disorder (see section 10 Warning Signs above), then you can play a key part in providing the support and assistance that they will need in order to gain the courage to research and weigh up their behavior, seek a formal diagnosis, and, if the diagnosis is confirmed, to begin treatment. The sooner the Eating Disorders is diagnosed and appropriate treatments begun, the better the outcomes are likely to be. Early treatment can help prevent much or even all of the health, social, mental, and other damage and complications that can occur as a result of an Eating Disorder.

Link Between Anorexia and Bulimia?

According to e-Bulimia.com, anorexia and bulimia are the two most common eating disorders. They tend to appear most commonly in women. In fact, 90 percent of all cases are in women.

(PRWEB) September 9, 2005 — According to e-Bulimia.com, anorexia and bulimia are the two most common eating disorders. They tend to appear most commonly in women. In fact, 90 percent of all cases are in women. Most eating disorders begin in the teenage years: anorexia most often occurs around puberty, and bulimia hits a bit later.

People with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa share the same fear, guilt, and shame about food and fat. Still, they are two separate disorders with different symptoms. People with anorexia starve and exercise themselves thin. People with bulimia eat unhealthy amounts of food and then vomit or purge themselves. People with anorexia or bulimia tend to start at normal weights, but then suffer from poor nutrition as well as the mental and emotional effects of having an eating disorder. Some people with eating disorders may have a combination of anorexia and bulimia.

People with anorexia or bulimia, despite their different behaviors toward food, share many of the same symptoms. Both are undernourished, and, as a result, may have dry skin, brittle hair and nails, be constipated, and may be sensitive to temperature changes. Women may have irregular periods. People with eating disorders may develop food rituals, like only eating certain foods or at specific times, and they may eat in secret. Even when thin, people with eating disorders think of themselves as fat and are terrified of gaining weight.

Each eating disorder has its unique symptoms, however. People with anorexia lose dramatic amounts of weight, eat little amounts of food, and exercise excessively. People with bulimia, however, have symptoms related to constant vomiting. Their stomach acid eats away at their teeth enamel, burns their esophagus, and can cause the salivary glands to swell. People with bulimia may also have cuts or bruises on their fingers from inducing vomiting.

Both anorexia and bulimia are completely treatable. People with eating disorders need professional help from doctors and psychiatrists. It may take years to learn to control an eating disorder. Love and support from friends and family are also needed for recovery from any eating disorder.

About e-bulimia.com
Bulimia provides detailed information about the causes, symptoms, and effects of bulimia; bulimia treatment and recovery; the relationship between anorexia and bulimia; and information about the “pro bulimia” viewpoint.

Determining Anorexia

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that many know about but few talk about. It’s a disorder that can be very shameful, and difficult to conquer. Many anorexics may be in denial of their condition, and it can be tough to determine how serious one’s feelings are towards their self image. In this article, we’ll give you a basic idea of what anorexia is and help to explain when you might have a problem with the disorder.

Anorexia is, above all, a form of mental illness. That’s not to say that anorexics are crazy; it simply alludes to the fact that the brain functioning of someone with the disorder is unhealthy. For that reason, it can be very difficult for anorexics to simply stop anorexic behaviors without outside help. To that end, here are some of the things that doctors look for when it comes to diagnosing anorexia. If you think that some of the criteria fit the situation that you are in, you may want to seek outside help for dealing with your nutrition.

Most doctors diagnose anorexia first and foremost by the weight that an individual is. If you are 85 percent or less of your recommended body weight due to a refusal to gain weight, a problem with anorexia might be present. This level of weight is extremely unhealthy, and it can result in serious damage to one’s body. Another thing that doctors look for is a noted fear within the individual when it comes to gaining weight. They may be unnaturally fearful of being overweight, and these signs can really help to determine if one’s obsession with weight is unhealthy. Also, if you tend to deny the fact that your body weight is insufficient, and you have low feelings of self worth, doctors may recommend treatment. Remember, anorexia is a problem that is rooted psychologically, and physically changing behavior patterns alone will not be a sufficient solution. If you feel that you may be facing a problem with anorexia, you should at least give yourself the privilege of speaking with a doctor or an eating disorder counselor about your problem.

If you think that a friend may be anorexic, there are some warning signs that you may be able to note. Those with the disorder will often avoid questions about their weight as well as they can, and may get angry if you try to discuss the issue with them. Also, they may avoid eating in public as to disguise their diet. If you see some of these warning signs, do your best to get your friend to a physician. If you wait too long, the damage that the disorder does to the body can become so severe that it can be tough to recover from them, and the use of an IV may be employed to try to bring your loved one back to health. The danger that eating disorders present are many, so addressing the problem is paramount to keeping your friend in proper health.

Bulimia is another eating disorder that permeates our culture today. As opposed to anorexics, which use dieting techniques and weight-loss pills to a high degree, bulimics find solace in ‘purging’. Bulimic individuals usually eat a large amount of food, then retreat to a bathroom in order to regurgitate, or ‘purge’ the food from their system, causing them to lose the nutritional value and calories that the food they consume offers. The use of laxatives may also be employed by bulimics, causing a case of diarrhea and eliminating the nutritional value that they receive. You may be able to see warning signs for bulimia if an individual binges upon foods that are high in fat and sweets, engorging as much food as possible, then retiring to the bathroom in order to purge the foods. Poor self image is also a leading reason why people may become bulimic, and it’s an important thing to note when considering the health of a friend or family member.

Diagnosis Criteria for Anorexia and Bulimia

If you suspect someone you love may be suffering from an eating disorder, it will help you to become familiarized with the diagnosis criteria for anorexia nervosa and bulimia, the two most common forms of eating disorders. According to the American Psychiatric (APA) Association, in order to be diagnosed with one of these eating disorders, the individual must manifest a specific set of diagnosis criteria in order to be diagnosed. Here are the APA’s guidelines to diagnosing anorexia nervosa and bulimia.

According to the APA, in order for a person to be diagnosed with anorexia nervosa, they must display the following symptoms. First, the individual seeks to maintain a weight that is not healthy. This is defined using the lowest weight that is considered normal for the individual’s age and height. An individual suffering from anorexia nervosa will seek to maintain a weight that is below the lowest normal weight for their age and height. Anorexia nervosa patients may manifest pronounced anxiety and fear about gaining weight. They may fear becoming overweight, even if they happen to be at a healthy weight, or even very underweight. Individuals with anorexia nervosa suffer from severely distorted body images. They may refuse to eat, withdraw from friends and family, and engage in a strenuous exercise routine. Women who are diagnosed with anorexia nervosa have generally missed at least three consecutive menstrual periods.

Children of Gastric Bypass Patients at Risk for Eating Disorders

As parents who’ve had gastric bypass we face many challenges raising a family. Perhaps an unexpected challenge is when a child develops an eating disorder that may be exacerbated by the parents dieting habits. It turns out as our children observe us diet and fail (repeatedly) before having gastric bypass, then they watch us lose weight in an almost obsessive excitement after weight loss surgery (WLS), some panic and vow “this will not happen to me.” A descent into an eating disorder may follow.

According to Anorexia Bulima Help “Dieting or restriction of certain foods, or excessive dieting from parents” is a contributing factor in teen and pre-teen eating disorders. In addition “The appearance obsessed society most people live in can contribute to eating disorders . . . When combined with a low self-esteem, feelings of depression or anxiety or isolation, the effects can be devastating. Eating disorders commonly erupt as a coping mechanism, as a way for people to feel more “normal” and in control in a society that isn’t really normal to begin with.”

Wow. Are you worried? Growing up I watched my mother work her way up and down the scale many times. No need to name the diets she tried: we all tried them. I believe I learned from her that diet equals failure. It seems like every time she’d get to the benchmark, “this is the lowest weight I’ve been since having my first child” suddenly her weight loss would stop and back up the scale she’d climb at a rapid rate. She is morbidly obese today and no longer attempts dieting. Who can blame her?

Did she know that was the lesson she was teaching me? That eventually I’d "diet" myself into morbid obesity? I don’t think so, and I don’t blame her. She didn’t know any better.

We know better today. It is our stewardship to our children to do the best we can to protect them, raise them healthy, and teach them healthy habits of nutrition and exercise. We owe it to our children to keep them off the operating table and out of eating disorder treatment centers.

But how to do that? By example and by being informed.

Anorexia Bulima Help is a comprehensive resource on eating disorders – if you fear someone in your family is suffering from an eating disorder please visit this site. The site includes many links to several other resources about eating disorders.

Kaye Bailey – All Rights Reserved. Kaye Bailey is a weight loss surgery success story having maintained her health and goal weight for 5+ years. An award winning journalist, she is the author and webmaster of www.livingafterwls.com and www.livingafterwls.blogspot.com Fresh & insightful content is added daily, check in often.Provided By: Health and Fitness

Bulimia statistics

Bulimia nervosa is a terrible type of eating disorder which can really cause damage to the body and the mind. Bulimic individuals are overly concerned with their body image, and they often exhibit low self esteem. They achieve weight loss through unconventional and dangerous ways, most often through ‘purging’. Bulimics often over-indulge in food, eating huge, sweet, high-calorie foods before retiring to the bathroom in order to vomit up the food and keep their body from ingesting the calories. It’s a very serious condition, and in this article, we’ll be relaying some statistics that we’ve found that discuss the complicated eating disorder known as bulimia nervosa. By better understanding the disease, you’ll be able to see how many people are affected by it and exactly what kind of damage it can do.

• Those who are facing a problem with bulimia may be good at hiding their problem. Many bulimics exhibit few physical symptoms, making it tough to discover if they’ve got a problem. Many college-aged females are affected by bulimia though, and studies have shown that a full ten percent of all college-aged females are afflicted with a case of bulimia.
• While females are most often afflicted with bulimia nervosa, that’s not to say that men aren’t affected. Approximately ten percent of all cases of bulimia occur in males.
• Bulimia can do a great deal of damage to the human body if left untreated. There are many problems that can develop through the disorder, and sadly, roughly one in ten individuals that are bulimic will die due to complications of the problem. These complications may include starvation, heart attack, or suicide.
• One thing to note when trying to discover if an individual is afflicted with bulimia is their weight. The typical bulimic’s weight fluctuates from between ten to fifteen pounds over their ideal body weight to ten to fifteen pounds below their ideal body weight.
• While anyone may develop a case of bulimia, studies have shown that many cases of the disorder were developed at a young age. A study conducted showed that eighty six percent of all eating disorders were developed at an age of twenty or younger.
• While anorexia is commonly considered to be the most prevalent eating disorder, cases of bulimia are more common. While about one percent of all women between the ages of twelve and twenty five have anorexia, as many as one in seven women between twelve and twenty five develop a case of bulimia.
• The binge eating that bulimics engage themselves in often follow a pattern. Binges may range from caloric intakes of one thousand calories to over twenty thousand calories in one meal.

Now that you can see the problem that bulimia presents, you can be more alert when it comes to addressing the problem should it occur in someone that you know. When discussing the disorder, be sure to address the afflicted with compassion and love, and expect to be rejected. Do your best to help your loved one to seek assistance from a counselor or a doctor in order to help them to resolve their issue.

One of the most prevalent eating disorders within our society today is the dreaded bulimia. It’s a disease that is often thought of as being merely a physical manifestation, but few realize that it’s actually a mental condition which is causing the sufferer to behave as they do. In this article, we’ll be discussing the eating disorder known as bulimia, in order to inform you of the causes, the symptoms, and the possible methods of treatment.

Bulimia is also known as bulimia nervosa. It’s much different than anorexia nervosa, which is another common eating disorder in which individuals decrease the amount of food that they eat and undergo over-exercise or the use of laxatives in order to get their body as thin as possible. Bulimics are also concerned with getting their body weight as low as possible, but they often over-indulge in eating food before ‘purging’ it. Those with the disorder may engorge themselves with heavy amounts of food, with some bulimics consuming as much as twenty thousand calories in a meal. This is known as the ‘binging’ phase of bulimia, which is quickly followed by a purging phase. Individuals with bulimia ‘purge’ their body of the nutrition that the foods that they eat supply them with by a variety of methods, most commonly through inducing vomiting. Other methods of purging include the use of laxatives or diuretics, and even enemas to remove food from the body.

The disorder is caused by a poor self-image in many cases, and those with bulimia are never satisfied with the appearance of their body. Even when they are at the pinnacle of low body weight, they may continue to try to lose weight, drastically damaging their body within the process. Those that express high levels of concern when it comes to the appearance of their body and low self esteem, with a constant fear of being seen as fat are most often afflicted with the disease. Some individuals exhibit no symptoms or signs of the disorder, but one method of identifying symptoms includes eating with the individual and noting if they go to the bathroom immediately afterwards. Long-term bulimics may exhibit a dental problems such as tooth decay due to stomach acids eroding the enamel of the teeth, or problems with the throat. The glands of the neck and the face may appear to be swollen and a general sense of weakness may be present. The problem is very prevalent within society, with a full ten percent of college-aged girls affected by the disorder.

Bulimia

Bulimia A Dangerous Secret

Bulimia is a type of eating disorder that the sufferer often keeps a well-hid secret. It has been said that bulimia is in fact the most secretive of all eating disorders. The individual suffering from bulimia learns to keep the eating disorder a well-kept secret, sometimes hiding their condition from public view for many years. The actress Jane Fonda, for instance, confesses to suffering from bulimia from age 12 to 35, when she was finally able to recover. The cycle of binging can be hard to get hold of once it has become established. Bulimia often begins innocently enough. Most of the time, the eating disorder begins when the individual begins to binge and purge as part of a diet to lose weight. Soon, the binge and purge cycle becomes firmly entrenched, and the bulimia patient may feel incapable of stopping.

Bulimia (also known as Bulimia Nervosa), is characterized by an over-preoccupation with food and weight, which results in out-of-control eating patterns, including binge eating and then compensating (or over compensating) for the binge eating.
Because compensatory behavior follows the binge-eating episodes, people with Bulimia usually weigh within the normal range for their age, sex, and height.
People with Bulimia often perform the binge eating and compensatory behaviors in secret, feeling disgusted and ashamed when they binge, yet relieved once they purge.

Bulimia was first recognized as a distinct eating disorder (separate from Anorexia) in the 1970s. In 1976, Bulimia Nervosa appeared in psychiatric diagnostic manuals for the first time.

It is currently estimated that between 1.1% to 4.2% of females living in Western society will suffer from some form of Bulimia at some time during their life.
Approximately one-sixth of Western people with Bulimia are male, so less than 1% of Western males will suffer from some form of Bulimia at some time during their life.

Symptoms

Bulimia is characterized by an over-preoccupation with food and weight, which results in various out-of-control eating patterns, such as:

• Binge eating, which involves the consumption of large amounts of food within a short period of time. These usually occur secretly, and the person may feel a sense of loss of control and shame following these episodes.
• Extreme attempts to compensate for these binges and avoid weight gain by one or more of the following unhealthy and potentially dangerous methods:
  • self induced vomiting,
  • misuse of laxatives
  • misuse of fluid pills (diuretics)
  • misuse of diet pills
  • misuse of enemas
  • intense, excessive and compulsive exercise, and/or,
    periods of overly strict dieting or fasting.
• Often a disturbed body image is also associated with Bulimia, for example: Undue influence of body weight or shape on self-evaluation.

The binge eating and inappropriate compensatory behaviors both occur, on average, at least twice a week.
Because compensatory behavior follows the binge-eating episodes, people with Bulimia usually weigh within the normal range for their age, sex, and height.
However, just as with Anorexia, people with Bulimia may fear weight gain, they may desire to lose weight, and they may feel intensely dissatisfied with their bodies.
People with Bulimia often perform the binge eating and compensatory behaviors in secret, feeling disgusted and ashamed when they binge, yet relieved once they purge.
In addition to the signs and symptoms for each type of Eating Disorder, a range of warning signs can also indicate the possible development of an Eating Disorder.
Initially, friends and family may suspect that a person suffers from Bulimia by observing one or more of the signs and symptoms of the condition regularly over a period of time, or by observing one of the warning signs of Eating Disorder in general .
A formal diagnosis for Bulimia usually requires that the binge eating and inappropriate compensatory behaviors both occur, on average, at least twice a week over a period of at least 3 months.

Treatment

All Eating Disorders can be treated and a healthy weight restored. However, the sooner the Eating Disorders is diagnosed and appropriate treatments begun, the better the outcomes are likely to be. Eating Disorders can be highly complex, requiring a comprehensive treatment strategy which involves psychosocial interventions, nutritional counseling, medical care and monitoring, and perhaps even medication management. At the time of diagnosis, a doctor will need to determine whether a person health and well-being is in serious danger and may recommend immediate hospitalization.
The primary aim in the treatment of Bulimia sufferers is to reduce or eliminate binge eating and purging behavior. To achieve this, a range of treatment options may be required, such as nutritional rehabilitation, psychosocial intervention, and medication management.

In addition, establishing a regular pattern of non-binge meals, and improving eating attitudes, encouraging healthy but not excessive exercise, and resolving other relevant and co-occurring conditions, such as mood and anxiety disorders, are also essential components for the treatment of Bulimia sufferers.
A range of individual psychotherapies, such as cognitive-behavioral or interpersonal psychotherapy, group psychotherapy that uses a cognitive-behavioral approach, and family or marital therapy can also be effective in treating Bulimia.

In addition, psychotropic medications, which include antidepressants such as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), have proven helpful for weight maintenance and for resolving various mood and anxiety symptoms that are often associated with Bulimia. This is particularly true with sufferers who exhibit significant symptoms of depression or anxiety, or those who have not responded adequately to psychosocial treatment alone. These medications also may help prevent relapse or recurrence of the condition.
People with Eating Disorders often do not recognize or admit that they are ill. As a result, they may strongly resist treatments for their condition. Family members and other trusted individuals can be essential in ensuring that the sufferer receives needed care and continues with their rehabilitation. For some people, treatment may be long term.