Back Bulimia
What is bulimia?
Bulimia, also known as bulimia nervosa, is an eating disorder characterized by binge eating following by compensatory purging or other methods to avoid weight gain or to relieve the physical symptoms that a person feels after binging. Purging usually involves vomiting, but it may also include the use of laxatives, excessive exercise, or fasting.
Like other eating disorders, people who have bulimia are often secretive about the condition due to feelings of shame or guilt about their behaviors. They may go to great lengths to hide their symptoms, which may result in family and friends missing the signs that there is a problem.
Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of bulimia can be physical, behavioral, and emotional.
Physical Symptoms
Dentists are often the first to notice signs of self-induced vomiting in patients with bulimia nervosa because of the tell-tale pattern of dental erosion primarily on the internal surface of the teeth.1 But oral health concerns aren't the only physical symptom linked to bulimia. People may also experience:
Behavioral Symptoms
The following behavioral symptoms are those that are most often noticed outwardly by family members and friends.
Emotional Symptoms
Although more difficult to notice than behavioral symptoms, emotional symptoms are also often recognized by family members and friends, even when they don’t know about the binging and purging behaviors. These emotional issues are not unique to bulimia nervosa but may raise concerns.
Here you can find professional therapists & counselors on this topic.
Source: Cowden S. MS, What is bulimia?. Updated December 2020; Mehler PS, Rylander M. Bulimia Nervosa - medical complications. J Eat Disord. 2015; National Eating Disorders Association. Bulimia Nervosa. 2018; Levinson CA, Zerwas S, Calebs B, et al. The core symptoms of bulimia nervosa, anxiety, and depression: A network analysis. J Abnorm Psychol. 2017
Bulimia, also known as bulimia nervosa, is an eating disorder characterized by binge eating following by compensatory purging or other methods to avoid weight gain or to relieve the physical symptoms that a person feels after binging. Purging usually involves vomiting, but it may also include the use of laxatives, excessive exercise, or fasting.
Like other eating disorders, people who have bulimia are often secretive about the condition due to feelings of shame or guilt about their behaviors. They may go to great lengths to hide their symptoms, which may result in family and friends missing the signs that there is a problem.
Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of bulimia can be physical, behavioral, and emotional.
Physical Symptoms
Dentists are often the first to notice signs of self-induced vomiting in patients with bulimia nervosa because of the tell-tale pattern of dental erosion primarily on the internal surface of the teeth.1 But oral health concerns aren't the only physical symptom linked to bulimia. People may also experience:
- Bloodshot eyes
- Calluses on the back of the hand
- Chest pains
- Chronic bouts of constipation (resulting from laxative abuse)
- Electrolyte imbalances and dehydration
- Frequent sore throat
- Headache
- Heart palpitations
- Lightheadedness or loss of balance (may experience fainting)
- Mouth ulcers
- Stomach aches
- Swelling of hands and feet
- Swollen glands and roundness in the jaw area
- Tooth cavities
- Tooth sensitivity
- Vomiting blood
- Yellowing, graying, spotted, or decaying teeth
- Puffy cheeks among people whose purging include vomiting are one of the other noticeable physical signs. Calluses on the hand from inserting it in the mouth to cause vomiting may also be visible and are known as Russell's sign. Later in the illness, this sign may not even be visible as the person may be able to vomit without mechanical stimulation.
Behavioral Symptoms
The following behavioral symptoms are those that are most often noticed outwardly by family members and friends.
- Creation of schedules or rituals that allow for binging and purging
- Desperation to exercise even when it gets in the way of other activities
- Evidence of binge eating including stashing food, stealing food, and eating large amounts in one sitting
- Evidence of purging such as always needing to go to the restroom or showering after meals or packages of laxatives or diuretics
- Exercising a specific amount to "burn off" the calories that have been taken in
- Extreme eating habits (strict dieting followed by overeating)
- Fatigued appearance
- Frequent trips to the bathroom
- Large amounts of food that are missing from the cabinets or pantry; large amounts of food packaging in trashcans or vehicles
- Talks about dieting, calories, food or weight so much that it gets in the way of regular conversation
- Uses drugs or detox teas as a way to suppress appetite
- Withdrawal from friends, families, and usual activities
Emotional Symptoms
Although more difficult to notice than behavioral symptoms, emotional symptoms are also often recognized by family members and friends, even when they don’t know about the binging and purging behaviors. These emotional issues are not unique to bulimia nervosa but may raise concerns.
- Depression
- Extreme irritability
- Extremely self-critical
- Feeling out of control
- Mood swings
- Self-esteem, self-worth, or attractiveness determined by appearance and weight
- Strong need for approval
Here you can find professional therapists & counselors on this topic.
Source: Cowden S. MS, What is bulimia?. Updated December 2020; Mehler PS, Rylander M. Bulimia Nervosa - medical complications. J Eat Disord. 2015; National Eating Disorders Association. Bulimia Nervosa. 2018; Levinson CA, Zerwas S, Calebs B, et al. The core symptoms of bulimia nervosa, anxiety, and depression: A network analysis. J Abnorm Psychol. 2017
