Bulimia By: Laura Hernandez Sam Tadlock Carley Starnes

What is Bulimia? Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by frequent episodes of binge eating, followed by frantic efforts to avoid gaining weight. When you’re struggling with bulimia, life is a constant battle between the desire to lose weight or stay thin and the overwhelming compulsion to binge eat. During an average binge, you may consume from 3,000 to 5,000 calories in one short hour. After it ends, panic sets in and you turn to drastic measures to “undo” the binge by physically eliminating the food from your body involves 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.

Symptoms Calluses or scars on the knuckles or hands Puffy “Chipmunk” Cheeks Not Underweight Frequent fluctuations in weight Discolored teeth from exposure to stomach acid

Gender Variations 80-85% of cases are teenage girls. Only 10-15% of cases are men. It is more prevalent in girls than in boys. It affects 1-2% of all adolescent and young adult women.

Treatments Psychotherapy-Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), performed in group or individual sessions, has been used successfully to treat people with bulimia by changing their binge and purge behavior and improving their attitudes toward food. Treatment typically lasts about four months and includes about 20 visits with the therapist.

Treatments Medication. Antidepressants are also used as a bulimia treatment. The antidepressant fluoxetine (Prozac) is the only U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved medication to treat bulimia, although other antidepressant medications are sometimes prescribed.

Treatments Nutritional counseling-Nutritional counseling is often a treatment component with CBT. However, if the primary bulimia treatment is medication, then a nutritional counselor should help you learn how to normalize your diet and look at food in a healthy way. Overall, treatment for bulimia may take up to six months.

Long-term Effects The chances that the person will be cured from Bulimia is 50 percent. Your brain can develop unhealthy habits such as suicidal thoughts, self-harm, Impulsive behavior, obsessive compulsive tendencies and binge/purge compulsions. Bulimics often find it hard to digest the food they eat and this leads to bloating, stomach pain and uncomfortable constipation.

Long Term Effects Infertility Brain Damage Coma Cancer Premature Aging

Biological Level Those with family members who have eating disorders are more likely to have one themselves. Females are more likely to develop disorders than males.

Cognitive Level The mindset of a bulimic person. They believe they are overweight when they are not. Psychotherapy-a form of treatment that works to change the attitude of bulimic patients towards food and purging.

Socio-Cultural Unable to practice normal eating habits. Unable to associate with others and build healthy relationships. Wanting to be thin to fit an accepted stereotype of what is pretty.

Works Cited Bulimia Nervosa. (n.d.). HelpGuide.org. Retrieved January 28, 2013, from ptoms_causes_treatment.htm Long Term Effects of Bulimia And My Top 3 Tips To Reverse Them. (n.d.). Your Bulimia Recovery. Retrieved January 28, 2013, from recovery.com/long-term-effects-of-bulimia.htmlhttp:// Marks, H. (2010, May 10). How to Treat Bulimia - Eating Disorders Center - Everyday Health. Everyday Health. Retrieved January 28, 2013, from disorders/how-to-treat-bulimia.aspx