Bulimia Nervosa

The official explanation of bulimia nervosa is over-evaluation of shape and weight, with current binge eating combined by extreme weight control behaviour. It is known as the binge-purge syndrome. The word “bulimia” comes from the Greek word for “ox hunger “. Any person whose binge eating or overeating is followed by purging behaviour specifically to control weight gain can be described as “bulimic”.

People with bulimia nervosa are plagued by thoughts of needing to control their weight, but their control of eating is undermined by overeating or even binge eating from time to time. Fearful of gaining weight, they follow overeating by trying to get rid of the forbidden calories that they have taken in, by purging (vomiting or taking laxatives) and / or in some cases, by engaging in excessive exercise.

Behaviour typical of a person suffering with Bulimia Nervosa

They believe that this will keep their weight down. There is a very “addictive” feel to bulimic behaviour. People typically feel very guilty about their behaviour; they feel they have a shameful secret. They promise themselves that they will stop, only to find themselves in the familiar cycle the following day. There are many different types of bulimic behaviour.

In mild cases bingeing and purging happen infrequently and there may be periods of normal eating in between, although most bulimics do restrain their eating in between binge-purge (bulimic) episodes. In severe cases, a person may binge and purge many times each day. Some people are so afraid of losing control that they try to avoid eating as much as possible, but once they start eating they cannot stop, and the binge is brought to an end by vomiting / taking laxatives.

What does binge eating mean?

Binge eating is usually described as “eating more than a normal person would eat in a similar period of time”.

? It is eating food which is thought to be forbidden (usually sweets chocolate, or cereal)
? It is usually done in secret and is felt to be abnormal
? There is shame and anxiety about this behaviour
? There are ideas about having to pay or compensate for what one has done
? A binge can also be “subjective”. One person’s binge is another person’s good meal. Any unwanted eating event (such as a bar of chocolate) which is regarded as forbidden can trigger purging behaviour

Some people describe bingeing as unwanted eating behaviour that results from a craving

What does purging mean?

Purging is defined by behaviours such as vomiting, taking laxatives specifically to hurry food out of the body so that it will (in theory) not be absorbed, taking diuretics and some very extreme bulimic behaviours could include blood letting to remove glucose from the body.

Excessive exercise could be present when someone has a compulsive and addictive need to exercise - usually to avoid weight gain. He or she runs, swims or goes to the gym specifically to work off calories that they believe they have overeaten. This is exercise, which may or may not be enjoyed- however it bears little relationship with the exercise we do to make us healthy and fit. The primary purpose of this activity is that it is designed to remove anxiety, perhaps even punish a person for their “weakness and lack of willpower.”

It is very hard to distinguish between normal and excessive levels of exercise. This will depend on the context in which this exercise is done and its underlying purpose.

Another way to define “extreme weight control behaviour” is behaviour which can damage physical and emotional health.

See below to find out more from our knowledge resource on eating disorders:

* Causes of eating disorders
* Detecting the signs
* Anorexia Nervosa
* Eating disorders self help
* Overeating and Binge Eating

And specifically for Bulimia issues:

* Symptoms
* Causes
* Treatment