Back Bulimie Afrikaans Bulimia AN نهام عصبي Arabic Bulimiya nervoza Azerbaijani Нервна булимия Bulgarian Bulímia Catalan Bulimie Czech Bulimi Danish Bulimie German Ψυχογενής βουλιμία Greek
 | This article needs to be updated. (September 2024) |
| Bulimia nervosa | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Bulimia |
 | |
| Loss of enamel (acid erosion) from the inside of the upper front teeth as a result of bulimia | |
| Specialty | Psychiatry, clinical psychology |
| Symptoms | Eating a large amount of food in a short amount of time followed by vomiting or the use of laxatives, often normal weight[1][2] |
| Complications | Breakdown of the teeth, depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, suicide[2][3] |
| Causes | Genetic and environmental factors[2][4] |
| Diagnostic method | Based on person's medical history[5] |
| Differential diagnosis | Anorexia, binge eating disorder, Kleine-Levin syndrome, borderline personality disorder[5] |
| Treatment | Cognitive behavioral therapy[2][6] |
| Medication | Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressant[4][7] |
| Prognosis | Half recover over 10 years with treatment[4] |
| Frequency | 3.6 million (2015)[8] |
Bulimia nervosa, also known simply as bulimia, is an eating disorder characterized by binge eating (eating large quantities of food in a short period of time, often feeling out of control) followed by compensatory behaviors, such as vomiting, excessive exercise, or fasting to prevent weight gain.[9]
Other efforts to lose weight may include the use of diuretics, stimulants, water fasting, or excessive exercise.[2] Most people with bulimia are at normal weight and have higher risk for other mental disorders, such as depression, anxiety, borderline personality disorder, bipolar disorder, and problems with drugs to alcohol. There is also a higher risk of suicide and self-harm.
Bulimia is more common among those who have a close relative with the condition.[2] The percentage risk that is estimated to be due to genetics is between 30% and 80%.[4] Other risk factors for the disease include psychological stress, cultural pressure to attain a certain body type, poor self-esteem, and obesity.[2][4] Living in a culture that commercializes or glamorizes dieting, and having parental figures who fixate on weight are also risks.[4]
Diagnosis is based on a person's medical history;[5] however, this is difficult, as people are usually secretive about their binge eating and purging habits.[4] Further, the diagnosis of anorexia nervosa takes precedence over that of bulimia.[4] Other similar disorders include binge eating disorder, Kleine–Levin syndrome, and borderline personality disorder.[5]
Signs and symptoms
Bulimia typically involves rapid and out-of-control eating, which is followed by self-induced vomiting or other forms of purging.[11][9] This cycle may be repeated several times a week or, in more serious cases, several times a day[12] and may directly cause:
- Dehydration
- Electrolyte imbalance can lead to abnormal heart rhythms, cardiac arrest, and even death
- Oral trauma, lacerations to the lining of the mouth or throat due to forced throwing up movements.[13]
- Russell's sign: calluses on knuckles and back of hands due to repeated trauma from incisors[14][15]
- Swollen salivary glands (in the neck, under the jawline)[16][17]
- Gastrointestinal problems, like constipation and acid reflux[13]
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Hypotension
- Infertility and/or irregular menstrual cycles
- Weight Fluctuations
These are some of the many signs that may indicate whether someone has bulimia nervosa:[18]
- A fixation on the number of calories consumed
- A fixation on an extreme consciousness of one's weight
- Low self-esteem and/or self-harming
- Suicidal tendencies
- An irregular menstrual cycle in women
- Regular trips to the bathroom, especially soon after eating
- Depression, anxiety disorders, and sleep disorders
- Frequent occurrences involving the consumption of abnormally large portions of food[19]
- The use of laxatives, diuretics, and diet pills
- Compulsive or excessive exercise
- Unhealthy/dry skin, hair, nails, and lips
- Fatigue, or exhaustion
As with many psychiatric illnesses, delusions can occur, in conjunction with other signs and symptoms, leaving the person with a false belief that is not ordinarily accepted by others.[20]
People with bulimia nervosa may also exercise to a point that excludes other activities.[20]
- ^ Bulik CM, Marcus MD, Zerwas S, Levine MD, La Via M (October 2012). "The changing "weightscape" of bulimia nervosa". The American Journal of Psychiatry. 169 (10): 1031–6. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2012.12010147. PMC 4038540. PMID 23032383.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Bulimia nervosa fact sheet". Office on Women's Health. July 16, 2012. Archived from the original on June 19, 2015. Retrieved June 27, 2015.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Sm2012was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b c d e f g h Hay PJ, Claudino AM (July 2010). "Bulimia nervosa". BMJ Clinical Evidence. 2010: 1009. PMC 3275326. PMID 21418667.
- ^ a b c d American Psychiatric Association (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fifth ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing. pp. 345–349. ISBN 978-0-89042-555-8.
- ^ Hay P (July 2013). "A systematic review of evidence for psychological treatments in eating disorders: 2005-2012". The International Journal of Eating Disorders. 46 (5): 462–9. doi:10.1002/eat.22103. PMID 23658093.
- ^ McElroy SL, Guerdjikova AI, Mori N, O'Melia AM (October 2012). "Current pharmacotherapy options for bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder". Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy. 13 (14): 2015–26. doi:10.1517/14656566.2012.721781. PMID 22946772. S2CID 1747393.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
GBD2015Prewas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b "Bulimia nervosa - Symptoms and causes". Mayo Clinic. Retrieved 2024-12-05.
- ^ Dorfman J, The Center for Special Dentistry Archived February 11, 2015, at the Wayback Machine.
- ^ Steinhausen, Hans-Christoph; Weber, Sandy (December 2009). "The Outcome of Bulimia Nervosa: Findings From One-Quarter Century of Research". American Journal of Psychiatry. 166 (12): 1331–1341. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2009.09040582. ISSN 0002-953X. PMID 19884225.
- ^ "Bulimia Nervosa" (PDF). Let's Talk Facts: 1. 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 19, 2015. Retrieved September 13, 2013.
- ^ a b Clinic, Cleavland (May 15, 2022). "Bulimia Nervosa".
- ^ Joseph AB, Herr B (May 1985). "Finger calluses in bulimia". The American Journal of Psychiatry. 142 (5): 655a–655. doi:10.1176/ajp.142.5.655a. PMID 3857013.
- ^ Wynn DR, Martin MJ (October 1984). "A physical sign of bulimia". Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 59 (10): 722. doi:10.1016/s0025-6196(12)62063-1. PMID 6592415.
- ^ "Eating Disorders". Oral Health Topics A–Z. American Dental Association. Archived from the original on February 3, 2009.
- ^ Mcgilley BM, Pryor TL (June 1998). "Assessment and treatment of bulimia nervosa". American Family Physician. 57 (11): 2743–50. PMID 9636337.
- ^ "Symptoms Of Bulimia Nervosa". Illawarra Mercury. February 23, 2001. Archived from the original on February 21, 2016.
- ^ "Bulimia Nervosa". Proud2BME. The National Eating Disorders Association. Archived from the original on December 10, 2014. Retrieved December 5, 2014.
- ^ a b Barker P (2003). Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing: The Craft of Caring. Great Britain: Arnold. ISBN 978-0340810262.[page needed]