Transcript Bulimia nervosa - VCE-Psychology

Bulimia
nervosa
Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by binge eating and
purging, or consuming a large amount of food in a short amount of time
followed by an attempt to rid oneself of the food consumed (purging),
typically by vomiting, taking a laxative or excessive exercise, because of
an extensive concern for body weight. Bulimia Nervosa affects women
and men of all ages
BULIMIA FACTS
The term bulimia comes from Greek βουλιμία (boulīmia; ravenous
hunger) Bulimia nervosa means disease of hunger affecting the nervous
system. Bulimia nervosa was named and first described by the British
psychiatrist Gerald Russell in 1979
The incidence of Bulimia Nervosa in the Australian population is 5 in
100. At least two studies have indicated that only about one tenth of the
cases of bulimia in the community are detected
True incidence estimated to be 1 in 5 amongst students and women
(NEDC)
Based on international data, the lifetime prevalence in females is
between .9% and 2.1%, and .1% to 1.1% in males
The onset of Bulimia Nervosa usually occurs between 16 and 18 years
of age
It is common for people suffering from bulimia to keep their disorder
hidden for 8-10 years, at great cost to their physical and psychological
health
During an average binge, you may consume from 3,000 to 5,000
calories in one short hour.
Which well exceeds the usual calorie intake eaten in one meal.
Bulimia doesn’t necessarily involve purging—physically eliminating the
food from your body by throwing up or using laxatives, enemas, or
diuretics. If you make up for your binges by fasting, exercising to excess,
or going on crash diets, this also qualifies as bulimia.
Impulsivity and substance abuse is correlated with Bulimia
Bulimia can become a means of coping with stressful situations, such as
an unhappy relationship or a traumatic past event
People with bulimia may have had one or several suicide attempts and
there is a high incidence of depression amongst bulimia sufferers
The mortality rate for bulimia nervosa is estimated to be up to 19%
Mortality rate in Bulimics
Not affected
Affected
83% of bulimic patients vomit, 33% abuse laxatives, and 10% take diet
pills
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
Bulimia sufferers
50%
Method used
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Vomiting
Laxatives
Diet pills
92% of people with bulimia said that seeking help was entirely their
own choice whereas only 19% of people with anorexia agreed
70% of individuals who undertake treatment for Bulimia Nervosa report
a significant improvement in their symptoms
What causes bulimia?
Bulimia is more than just a problem with food. A binge can be triggered
by dieting, stress, or uncomfortable emotions, such as anger or sadness.
Purging and other actions to prevent weight gain are ways for people
with bulimia to feel more in control of their lives and ease stress and
anxiety. There is no single known cause of bulimia, but there are some
factors that may play a part;
• Culture. Women are under constant pressure to fit a certain ideal of
beauty. Seeing images of flawless, thin females everywhere makes it
hard for women to feel good about their bodies.
• Families. If you have a mother or sister with bulimia, you are more
likely to also have bulimia. Parents who think looks are important,
diet themselves, or criticize their children's bodies are more likely to
have a child with bulimia.
• Life changes or stressful events. Traumatic events (like rape), as
well as stressful things (like starting a new job), can lead to bulimia.
• Personality traits. A person with bulimia may not like themself, hate
the way they look, or feel hopeless. They may be very moody, have
problems expressing anger, or have a hard time controlling impulsive
behaviours.
• Biology. Genes, hormones, and chemicals in the brain may be factors
in developing bulimia.
The binge and purge cycle
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Dieting triggers bulimia’s destructive cycle of binging and
purging. The irony is that the more strict and rigid the diet, the
more likely it is that you’ll become preoccupied, even obsessed,
with food. When you starve yourself, your body responds with
powerful cravings—its way of asking for needed nutrition.
As the tension, hunger, and feelings of deprivation build, the
compulsion to eat becomes too powerful to resist: a “forbidden”
food is eaten; a dietary rule is broken. With an all-or-nothing
mindset, you feel any diet slip-up is a total failure. After having a
bite of ice cream, you might think, “I’ve already blown It, so I
might as well go all out.”
Binging
Unfortunately, the relief that binging brings is extremely short-lived.
After it ends, panic sets in and you turn to drastic measures to “undo”
the binge, such as taking ex-lax, inducing vomiting, or going for a tenmile run. And all the while, you feel increasingly out of control.
Unfortunately, purging only reinforces binge eating. Though you
may tell yourself, as you launch into a new diet, that this is the
last time, in the back of your mind there’s a voice telling you that
you can always throw up or use laxatives if you lose control
again. What you may not realize is that purging doesn’t come
close to wiping the slate clean after a binge.
Binge eating signs and symptoms
• Lack of control over eating – Inability to stop eating. Eating until the point of physical
discomfort and pain.
• Secrecy surrounding eating – Going to the kitchen after everyone else has gone to bed.
Going out alone on unexpected food runs. Wanting to eat in privacy.
• Eating unusually large amounts of food with no obvious change in weight.
• Disappearance of food, numerous empty wrappers or food containers in the garbage, or
hidden stashes of junk food.
• Alternating between overeating and fasting – Rarely eats normal meals. It’s all-ornothing when it comes to food.
Purging signs and symptoms
• Going to the bathroom after meals – Frequently disappears after meals or takes
a trip to the bathroom to throw up. May run the water to disguise sounds of
vomiting.
• Using laxatives, diuretics, or enemas after eating. May also take diet pills to
curb appetite or use the sauna to “sweat out” water weight.
• Smell of vomit – The bathroom or the person may smell like vomit. They may try
to cover up the smell with mouthwash, perfume, air freshener, gum, or mints.
• Excessive exercising – Works out strenuously, especially after eating. Typical
activities include high-intensity calorie burners such as running or aerobics.
Physical signs and symptoms of bulimia
• Calluses or scars on the knuckles or hands from sticking fingers down the
throat to induce vomiting.
• Puffy “chipmunk” cheeks caused by repeated vomiting.
• Discoloured teeth from exposure to stomach acid when throwing up. May look
yellow, ragged, or clear.
• Not underweight – Men and women with bulimia are usually normal weight or
slightly overweight. Being underweight while purging might indicate a purging
type of anorexia.
• Frequent fluctuations in weight – Weight may fluctuate by 10 pounds or more
due to alternating episodes of bingeing and purging.
Affects Bulimia Nervosa has on your
body
Your teeth
Teeth exposure to stomach acids from
vomiting erodes your teeth
Vomiting causes the body to release endorphins, which are
natural chemicals that make you feel good.
Eventually you may make yourself vomit even if you have not
overeaten so that you can feel good.
Soon you lose control over the binge-purge cycle.
Repeated vomiting, fasting, exercising too much, or
misusing laxatives, diuretics, ipecac syrup, or enemas will
eventually cause serious, long-term health problems.
The End