Bulimia Eating Disorder - The What, the Why and the How of this Problem

Bulimia eating disorder, also known as bulemia nervosa, is a condition wherein a person engages in binge eating and will later feel guilty about it and try to compensate. Compensatory methods can range from self-induced vomiting or purging, to crash dieting, to excessive exercising and even using laxatives.

The what of bulimia

Aside from the behaviors mentioned above, bulimics, like anorexics, have a distorted perception of their own bodies. They usually think they are too fat when in fact, they are actually reed thin. People who suffer from bulimia have a tendency to engage in binge eating when they are depressed, have suffered a let-down or have been involved in a situation or experience wherein their emotions are jarred or thrown off-balance.

Bulimia can result in physical problems or medical risks which could include ulcers, ruptured intestines (due to repeated vomiting), dehydration, dental caries, heart problems, swollen salivary glands and a host of other complications primarily caused by lack of nutrition. Majority of those who suffer from this disorder are teenagers, and almost half of adolescent patients have been known to experience relapse during their adult years despite successfully defeating the first onset of the condition.

The why

There is no single cause for bulimia. It is actually a condition that can start due to a number of factors that can collaborate to push an individual to become bulimic. Social, biological and psychological factors can combine to create a scenario wherein a person will develop this eating disorder.

According to some studies, most eating disorders are largely influenced by the general perception (particularly among girls) that being thin is sexy and attractive. This can lead some people to think that gaining weight will make them unattractive and that they will be socially "unacceptable," which consequently, can lead them to obsess about their body weight.

Experiences that impact the psyche hardly and negatively can also push a person to turn to food for comfort, particularly if he is not good with dealing with emotions to begin with. There are also some studies, though inconclusive, that have claimed that based on their genes, some people are just more predisposed to suffer from eating disorders than others.

The how

Treatment for bulemia is usually multi-pronged. This includes psychological, nutritional and physical therapies. Behavioral therapies have been used on bulimics and other eating disorder patients to address the emotional and mental aspects of the disorder. Specifically prepared meals and medical attention are also part of the treatment program. In some cases, antidepressants are used with the belief that psychological treatment will then lead to full physical recovery.

Bulimia eating disorder is treatable. Support from family and friends and the patient' willingness to get better are the primary prerequisites toward recovery.