Bulimia Nervosa Essay

Eating Disorders are a set of serious disorders with underlying psychiatric foundations. An eating disorder occurs when exercise, body weight and shape become an unhealthy obsession (Stein, Merrick, & Latzer, 2011). People with eating disorders take physical concerns to the extremes that they take on abnormal eating habits. There are a variety of cases that lead to an eating disorder and can affect both men and women, however its prevalence primarily occur in adolescence (Ison & Kent, 2010; Stein et al., 2011). The complexity and challenges that occur during adolescents predisposes teens to developing an eating disorder. The period of adolescence is one of intense change, which can bring with it a great deal of stress, confusion and anxiety (Allen, Byrne, Oddy & Crosby, 2013). According to Wade, Keski-Rahkonen and Hudson (2011) 20 million women and 10 million men suffer from eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and eating disorders not otherwise specified (EDNOS). There are three main categories of eating disorders, anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), and eating disorders not otherwise specified (EDNOS). Individuals with AN loose more weight than what is considered to be healthy for their particular height, age, gender, and development (Allen et al., 2013). In BN individuals binge eat and purge to compensate for the excessive eating. Purging may include induce vomiting or intake of laxatives that lead to bowel

Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by binge eating as well as by self-induced vomiting and/or laxative abuse (Mitchell, 1986). Episodes of overeating typically alternate with attempts to diet, although the eating habits of bulimics and their methods of weight control vary (Fairburn et al., 1986). The majority of bulimics have a body weight within the normal range for their height, build, and age, and yet possess intense and prominent concerns about their shape and weight (Fairburn et al., 1986). Individuals with bulimia nervosa are aware that they have an eating problem, and therefore are often eager to receive help. The most common approach to

Bulimia has come to be known as bulimia nervosa for its similarity to another eating disorder known as anorexia nervosa, and also known as the binge- purge disorder for its cycle of bingeing and purging. Like anorexia, bulimia is normally developed during adolescences or early adulthood and “both are characterized by severely restricting food consumption.” (“Bulimia Nervosa”) However, unlike anorexia, bulimia is also characterized by binge eating. Binge

According to the DSM-5, eating disorders are characterized by a persistent disturbance of eating–related behavior that results in non-normative eating patterns which leads to impaired physical and psychosocial functioning, (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Bulimia Nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating with inappropriate compensatory behaviors to prevent weight gain. Binge eating is described as eating an amount of food definitely larger than normal with a sense of lack of control. Compensatory behaviors include misuse of laxatives, self-induced vomiting, diuretics, fasting and excessive exercise, (Comer, 2014) . Another key feature is

The DSM-IV outlines five criteria for bulimia nervosa (APA, 1994). One, there are recurrent episodes of binge eating. Binge eating is defined as eating in a discrete period of time an amount of food that is definitely larger that most people would consume in a similar period of time. The binge eating must also be characterized by a sense of lack of control over eating. Two, there are recurrent inappropriate compensatory behaviors in order to prevent weight gain such as self-induced vomiting, the misuse of laxatives or diuretics, fasting, or excessive exercise. Three, the binge eating and inappropriate compensatory behavior both occur, on average, at least twice a week for three months. Four, self-evaluation is unduly influenced by body shape and weight. Five, the disturbance does not occur exclusively during episodes of anorexia nervosa. There are two types of bulimia nervosa: the purging type (the person regularly engages in self-induced vomiting or the misuse of laxatives or diuretics) and the nonpurging type (the person uses other compensatory strategies such as fasting or excessive exercise).

Bulimia is a disorder centered around an individual’s obsession with food and weight. This obsession involves eating large quantities of food, feeling guilty about the food consumption, and taking drastic measures to prevent caloric/fat absorption. Measures vary with each individual and include one or all of the following: forced vomiting, abuse of laxatives or diuretics, or excessive exercise. This disease affects one to three percent of adolescent and young women in the United States, and bulimic behaviors are displayed by ten to twenty percent of adolescent and young women in the United States (http://dcs.engr.widener.edu/galla/gal la.htm).

The prevalence of eating disorders among American women has increased dramatically in the past decade. In turn, the psychological community has expanded it's scope of research and study by focusing more attention on eating disorders and concentrating on other extended issues related to eating disorders. The desire to distinguish and understand a possible relationship between bulimia nervosa and depression has become a major focus within the field. The purpose of this paper is to introduce the reader to literature from two different journal articles on this relationship.

To diagnosis a person with bulimia nervosa, there is a set of criteria and behaviors that a person must meet. The American Psychiatric Association specifies the diagnostic criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5). The DSM-5 sets five different criteria

Bulimia, also known in the media as ‘bulimarexia,’ ‘binge-vomiting’ and gorge-purging,’ is an eating disorder similar to chemical dependency (Cauwels,

Sometimes the binge eating is followed by self-induced vomiting and/or the use of laxatives. The repeated undereating and overeating in bulimia patients usually results in a suboptimal bodyweight. In comparison to anorexia, bulimia patients are often easier to comply with treatments because most of them are ashamed of their binge eating. Depression and anxiety disorders are also significant in bulimia patients. Researches suggested that the incidence rate of bulimia increased sharply between the year 1980 and 1983 and remained quite constant till 1990, but had a threefold increase in 1993. Atypical eating disorders are similar to anorexia and bulimia, but just do not meet the full criteria for the diagnosis. For example, the weight of the patient could be just close to the threshold, or she still has her menstrual

There are two categories of Bulimia Nervosa and both are serious and life threatening: Purging bulimia is where the patient regularly self-induces vomiting. The patient also misuses laxatives, diuretics or takes enemas after eating large amounts of food. The second type of bulimia is non-purging bulimia where the patient uses fasting, strict dieting or excessive and prolonged exercise in order to not gain weight. Both types of bulimia are an attempt to avoid gaining weight by purging what was consumed (Hay). Bulimic patients are preoccupied with their weight and body shape and judge themselves severely and harshly for self-perceived flaws. Because it's related to self-image, and not just about food, bulimia can be hard for the patient to overcome (Mayo Clinic Staff). Risk factors are being

People with bulimia place an extreme emphasis on body shape or weight in their self-evaluation. This can lead to the person’s sense of self-esteem and self worth to be defined by the way one looks. In the whole population 0.9% adolescence have bulimia nervosa (males 0.5%; females 0.9%). Signs of Bulimia include: Evidence of purging behaviours, including frequent trips to the bathroom after meals, signs and/or smells of vomiting, presence of wrappers or packages of laxatives or diuretics, Excessive exercise regimen despite weather, fatigue, illness, or injury, Unusual swelling of the cheeks or jaw area, Calluses on the back of the hands and knuckles from self-induced vomiting,staining of the teeth and Withdrawal from usual friends and activities.

The definition and categorization of bulimia nervosa (BN) are addressed in the beginning of the paper. As there are many medical concerns that influence and accompany treatment, a brief overview of these concerns is provided. Next, the focus shifts to the population most affected by the disorder and risk factors for development of BN. A discussion of co-occurring disorders follows due to the fact that BN sufferers often experience one or more co-occurring disorders or differential diagnoses that may further complicate a clinician’s plan for treatment.

I find your post very interesting and I really enjoyed how everything flows together. You made it very easy for me to understand how bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa are similar and how they are different. I was able to fully understand the concept of comorbid with the example that you included about your friend. I think this is a great example because it shows how more than one disorder can be present and it just informs how difficult it may be for someone who has to deal with such horrible symptoms and effects. You mentioned that “not only was she anorexic/bulimic, but she had depression tied to her condition” and this just shows the complexity of the human body and how we are vulnerable to disorders and abnormalities.

The pressure of being thin, beautiful and simply just looking perfect has become a major dispute in Americas culture. Television, Magazines and social norms effect young kids in the way they see themselves and now has turned into a main health concern. Seeing other people who you think may look perfect, is deceiving to many young girls as they think they are either overweight or just not good enough. With implying that it might result in some type of eating disorder, such as anorexia nervosa. This obsession of being thin has rapidly increased over the years and is still accelerating.(DSM) This type of disorder, mainly appearing in females has over five million cases and one million in males.(family dr) Most kids with anorexia are usually