What Is Bulimia Nervosa?
People with Bulimia Nervosa often have an intense fear of weight gain, yet are trapped in a vicious cycle of binge eating then using various extreme methods to try to get rid of the calories they have just consumed.
In the 'purging' type of this eating disorder, a sufferer will use self-induced vomiting, or the abuse of laxatives, enemas or diuretics in their attempts to control their weight.
In actual fact, these are extremely INEFFICIENT means of calorie control. (Click here to learn why) and can be very detrimental to health if continued over a period of time. If more people realised this, then maybe not so many would start purging in the first place!
 |
Picture by Prabhu B |
Alternatively, some may use strict dieting, fasting or excessive exercise to compensate for their binge eating. This is called the 'non-purging' type of Bulimia Nervosa.
A sufferer may use one or a combination of many of these compensatory behaviours.
If someone regularly binge eats but does NOT purge, then they are more likely to have Binge Eating Disorder.
PLEASE SEE OUR OTHER PAGES
TO FIND OUT MORE:
Research to date shows that it is predominantly adolescent and young women who suffer from this condition but it can affect anyone and it is increasingly seen in young men and in older women as well.
Both binging and purging can be an individuals form of self-harm, connected to extreme feelings of low self esteem and even self-loathing.
Having such a poor sense of self-worth often means that sufferers do not believe themselves to be worthy of even being helped. The result is that they can go through many years of pain, struggle and confusion before they seek the assistance they need to get better.
If you suffer from this eating disorder or you care for someone who does, then I hope these pages will help you find the understanding, help and support you so rightly deserve.
