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Bulimia Nervosa is also known as bulimia or binge-purge syndrome. It literally means 'the nervous hunger of an ox'.
Bulimia nervosa is a psychiatric illness typically characterised by frequent episodes of binge eating (eating abnormally large amounts of food in a short space of time) followed by purging.
Binge eating
During a binge eating episode the individual does not feel in control over how much they are eating and will sometimes go to extreme lengths to get hold of food, such as scavenging from dustbins. The types of foods consumed will usually fall into the category of highly calorific 'comfort' food such as bread, crisps, cakes, biscuits and sweets that can be eaten easily.
A bulimic person does not carry out this behaviour with the intention of gaining weight, hence the various purging techniques they will use.
Purging
Purging may take the form of self-induced vomiting, using laxatives, diuretics or enemas. The person may also exercise excessively or starve her or himself.
Purging behaviour is a compensatory response to the feelings of shame and disgust that follow a binge eating episode, as well as a way to avoid gaining weight.
This binge-purge cycle repeats itself several times monthly, weekly or in some cases even daily or hourly, and usually takes place in secret.
A coping mechanism
Bulimia nervosa is not really about food, but is a coping mechanism for underlying, emotional difficulties. Bulimic behaviours may initially make someone feel as though they are in control, but as the bulimia takes hold the opposite becomes true.
The sufferer's relationship with food becomes an obsession and dominates day-to-day life, while any negative emotional issues remain unresolved.
Health risks of bulimia nervosa
Long-term health risks include changes in body chemistry, erosion of tooth enamel due to vomiting and in extreme cases stomach rupture and death.
A person with bulimia will not necessarily be thin; they may even be overweight which poses health risks of its own.
People suffering with bulimia are often of a normal weight so it may go undetected for many years, with those close to them often having no idea they have the disease or that their health is suffering.
Two types of bulimia nervosa are recognised: the purging type and the non-purging type.
Purging Type
During the current period of bulimia nervosa there has been a regular occurrence of self-induced vomiting, the misuse of laxatives, diuretics or enemas.
Non-purging Type
During the current period of bulimia nervosa there has been no regular occurrence of self-induced vomiting, the misuse of laxatives, diuretics or enemas, but the person may have partaken in other compensatory behaviours such as excessive exercising or self-induced starvation.