What
is Bulimia?
The following is the diagnostic criterion used by psychologists
for defining bulimia:
- Recurrent
episodes of binge eating. An episode of binge eating is characterized
by both of the following: 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 under similar circumstances ; a sense of
lack of control over eating during the episode (e.g., a feeling
that one cannot stop eating or control what or how much one
is eating)
- 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.
- The
binge eating and inappropriate compensatory behaviors both
occur, on average, at least twice a week for 3 months.
- Self-evaluation
is unduly influenced by body shape and weight.
- 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
Nonpurging
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
Who
gets Bulimia?
Low self esteem is the common feature of psychological eating
disorders. Bulimia Nervosa is a theorized to be a self imposed
punishment for something that the person blames themselves for,
or a dysfunctional reaction to some unpleasant events in their
life. A bulimic will seek episodes of bingeing and purging to
avoid or as reaction to anxiety, depression, anger, or stress.
Often bulimic may be abuse survivors (sexual or other).
Signs:
A person with bulimia will engage in bingeing and purging episodes.
They will eat a large quantity of food in a short time then
use vomiting or laxatives to remove the food. The eating or
purging will be associated with guilt. Often bulimia is mixed
with anorexia, although the bulimic will usually recognize that
they have an eating disorder. They may be fascinated by food
and be preoccupied with recipes, cook-books, and dieting issues.
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