Bulimia nervosa is a condition in which a person starts binge eating in a short amount of time and then purges the food out to prevent weight gain. This kind of behaviour is normally associated with mental health issues. People who suffer from depression or anxiety tend to have frequent episodes of this eating disorder. People with this condition feel an existential crisis and they think that they cannot control their life. This disorder can happen to people of any age but especially people in their teenage years tend to suffer from this condition a lot.
Causes of bulimia nervosa
There may be several prominent causes of bulimia which are:
- Having a low seld-esteem
- Sexual abuse
- Family history of bulimia
- Overly conscious about weight gain
- Criticism on your eating habits
- Societal norms about being slim
Symptoms
Symptoms of this disorder include:
- Continuously eating food in large quantities which are called binge-eating
- Purging the food out by using laxatives or making yourself vomit.
- Doing heavy exercises to avoid gaining weight
- Fear of weight gain
- Being weight-conscious
- Mood swings like the feeling of anxiety
People who suffer from bulimia nervosa tend to behave normally in social circles which is why it is difficult to spot people with this condition. They keep their nervousness a secret.
Possible complications
Some complications may arise due to binge eating and then purging the food out.
- Fatigue
- Sore throat
- Bad breath
- Brittle fingernails
- Swollen glands
- Dry skin
- Muscle pain
- Bowel problems
- Irregular periods
- Weak bones
Treatment for Bulimia nervosa
If you feel that there has been a drastic change in your eating habits over the last few weeks and the binge-purge cycle continues for many days then you must immediately call your GP. He will ask you some basic questions about your eating habits and overall life. A guided self-help programme may be offered to you to help you track your meal plans.
Some doctors also prescribe anti-depressants to patients with this disorder if they show signs of depression. Anti-depressants must only be bought from an online pharmacy service on the recommendation of a psychiatrist. Support is also given by a therapist to help you formulate an eating routine regularly to rectify your eating habits. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) works to determine the mental condition of the person. This therapy helps in identifying the root cause of the disorder.