bulimia
An eating disorder that is characterized by binge eating that is followed by fasting, self-induced vomiting or the use of diuretics and/or laxatives.
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What is Bulimia Nervosa?
Last Modified: August 09, 2010
Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by periods of binge eating followed by purging behavior to prevent weight gain. Like anorexia, bulimia is associated with an obsession with weight and… View Full Article
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Article: Causes of Bulimia: Social Pressure, Abuse, Serotonin Imbalance?
The cause of bulimia nervosa is unknown; most researchers suspect no single cause exists. Instead, current research suggests bulimia results from a combination of factors: social pressures, psychological disorders, and biological causes such as serotonin imbalances. Risk Factors for Bulimia…
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Article: Treating Bulimia Nervosa: Psychotherapy and Antidepressants
Bulimia nervosa responds better to treatment than anorexia nervosa. For bulimia treatment to succeed, therapy must alter the bulimic's unrealistic idea of body image and ideal weight. Healthy eating habits must be learned, and the patient must break free from the "addiction" of binge eating and purging.…
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Article: The Criteria for a Bulimia Diagnosis
Diagnosing bulimia nervosa is complicated by the secrecy and denial used by bulimics to mask binging and purging. Unlike anorexia nervosa, bulimia is not accompanied by a significant weight loss. The lack of weight loss makes it less likely that family members will identify bulimia nervosa. Bulimics…
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Article: Signs and Symptoms of Bulimia: Binge Eating and Purging
Symptoms of bulimia nervosa, while painfully apparent to women and men suffering from the eating disorder, often go unnoticed by family and friends. The cycle of binge eating and purging produces feelings of shame, self-loathing and guilt in bulimics. In response to these feelings, bulimics often…
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Article: Dangers and Health Effects of Bulimia Nervosa
Overall, bulimia nervosa causes fewer negative health effects than anorexia nervosa. The effects of binge eating and purging are also generally less serious than the complications of starvation that so often afflict anorexics. This is not to say that the effects of bulimia cannot be serious:…