Bulimia is a type of eating disorder that the sufferer often keeps a well-hidden secret.
It has been said that bulimia is in fact the most secretive of all eating disorders. The individual suffering from bulimia learns to keep the eating disorder sometimes hides their condition from public view for many years. The actress Jane Fonda, for instance, confesses to suffering from bulimia from age 12 to 35, when she was finally able to recover. The cycle of binging and purging that define bulimia can be hard to eradicate once it has become established.
Bulimia often begins innocently enough. Most of the time, the eating disorder begins when the individual begins to binge and purge as part of a diet to lose weight. Soon, the binge and purge cycle becomes firmly entrenched, and the bulimic patient may feel incapable of stopping.
Most people understand that bulimia is characterized by an unhealthy binge and purge cycle. But many people don't realize that individuals afflicted with bulimia tend to consume many more calories very quickly, much faster than most people eat. For instance, the normal caloric intake for a woman may be somewhere in the range of 2,000 to 3,000 calories in the course of one day. A person suffering from bulimia may consume around 3,400 calories in two hours!
Obviously, this manner of consumption has many implications. First, eating such a large amount of food in a relatively short amount of time can greatly upset the body's digestive system, and purging only further disrupts the digestive organs. There are also a number of social and financial implications. The individual may isolate themselves from friends and family in order to binge and purge, and they may spend money each day in order to purchase food for their sessions of binging and purging.
The secretive nature of bulimia can make it particularly difficult to diagnose. Most people with bulimia develop the first symptoms of the disease during their early teens or 20s. Because bulimia can be relatively easy to hide, the individuals may not demonstrate overt signs of the disease until reaching their 30s or 40s.
Why is bulimia so difficult to diagnose? Unlike some cases of anorexia nervosa, bulimia may not be physically evident. This is because most people with bulimia are able to maintain a healthy weight. They may even project a healthy image. Many bulimics often seem to be healthy, successful "put together" individuals.
In fact, many researchers have pointed to the "perfectionism" associated with bulimia. Many bulimics express a need to be "perfect" when it comes to their weight and appearance. In addition to striving for perfection, some bulimics may also be privy to other types of compulsive behavior. Some doctors report that their bulimic patients are drawn to compulsive behaviors such as alcohol abuse, substance addiction, and shoplifting.
Clearly, bulimia can affect every part of a person's life. It is considered a serious health risk that should be treated as early as possible to prevent permanent health damage.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Post-Anorexia Problems!!
By: Zeeze13 | 06-07-2008
I've been in recovery from anorexia for 4 months now. My nails are growing ok again and I'm at a perfect weight for my height. I eat great too. I have a 3 problems though. My hairline on the right side receded during the sickness and I'm taking pills to grow it back fast...will it grow back all way? My boobs are also not growing. I'm like a ...nearly A. It's bad. The biggest thing is my period. I haven't had in it over a year. I had anorexia for a year and half...when should it come back?! Please help!
Is Someone Considered Anorexic...?
By: catherine857 | 14-06-2008
If they only try and eat less than 200 calories and doesn't eat sometimes but does eat?. I know someone that does that and i was jw about it or are you only anorexic if you only consume so many calories a day and don't eat at all. She is obsessed with working out too and when she has a bad day she beats her self up for it then ususally tries not to eat. I haven't said anything to her about it but other people have and she just says nothing is bothering her and there's nothing wrong but i'm worried about her and i think she looks good no matter how she is. People have even told her she looks good and has lost some weight i just want her to be happy and not think that way about herself. BC if you have to think that way about getting yourself to lose weight and for guys to like you it isn't healthy and there's not too many guys that are going to like twiggy girls that look fragil you'd be afraid of breaking or something.
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By: chooseausername | 05-04-2008
I'm afraid to stop, when i try i gain weight right away, what do i do? Diet?
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Can you lose weight from being bulimic or just maintain your weight?
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