How Does Bulimia Nervosa Look Like?
By Zeina Moukarzel
MD-Anesthesiologist, Critical Care Physician, General Physician, Addiction Medicine
Reading Time:
1 minute
Bulimia Nervosa is, like Anorexia Nervosa, is a mental illness related to physical body image, and is classified as an eating disorder.
There are two different eating disorders: Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa
Like Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia is more common among girls and women. It often begins in the late teens and early adulthood.
Bulimia Nervosa complication could be absent or irregular menstruation
Bulimia Nervosa is characterized by:
- Regular and recurrent binge eating
- Frequent abnormal behaviors to avoid weight gain: self-induced vomiting, use of enemas/laxatives/diuretics/herbal products/dietary supplements, excessive exercise
- Excessive and continuous worrying about being fat
- An intense fear of gaining weight
- A distorted, excessively negative body image
Anorexia and Bulimia have overlapping symptoms, however the causes, consequences and the treatment are different. Symptoms of Bulimia are somehow similar to Anorexia type 2
Possible physical and emotional complications are:
- Dehydration
- Heart problems
- Anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, personality disorder
- Misuse of drugs
- Self-harm, suicidal thoughts/attempts
LAMSA’s note: Talk about any emotional issue you can be struggling with. Don’t forget to check on a friend and to be supportive. Talk to your counselor and ask for help.
