wp2f93b898.png
wp19cbb1fc.png

© 2012 Essex Eating Disorder Service

wpbf998726.png
Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder and mental health condition. People who have bulimia try to control their weight by severely restricting the amount of food they eat, then binge eating and purging the food from their body by making themselves sick or using laxatives. As with other eating disorders, bulimia nervosa can be associated with depression, low self-esteem, misuse of alcohol and self-harm.

Bingeing and purging Eating disorders are often associated with an abnormal attitude towards food or body image. Everyone has their own eating habits, for example, people with a food intolerance need to avoid eating certain foods to stay healthy. However, people suffering from eating disorders tend to use their eating habits and behaviours to cope with emotional distress and often have an abnormal or unrealistic fear of food, calories and being fat.

Because of this fear, people with bulimia nervosa tend to restrict their food intake. This results in periods of excessive eating and loss of control (bingeing), after which they make themselves sick or use laxatives (purging). They purge themselves because they fear that the bingeing will cause them to gain weight, and usually feel guilty and ashamed of their behaviour. This is why these behaviours are usually done in secret.

Such binge-purge cycles can be triggered by hunger or stress, or are a way to cope with emotional distress.

 

From nhs.uk