Bulimia nervosa is a syndrome characterized by repeated bouts of overeating and an excessive preoccupation with the control of body weight. Such is this preoccupation that the sufferer adopts extreme measures so as to mitigate what they perceive as the fattening effects of ingested food.
It is related to anorexia nervosa as it shares the same psychopathology, namely the preoccupation with body weight.
The symptoms of Bulimia Nervosa include a combination of the following:
A persistent preoccupation with eating coupled with an irresistible craving for food, leading to the sufferer engaging in episodes of overeating in large amounts over a short period of time;
Varied attempts at counteracting the "fattening" effects of food, such as self-induced vomiting, periods of starvation, the use of drugs such as appetite suppressants, diuretics, thyroid preparations etc;
A persistent preoccupation with body weight and a morbid fear of being “fat”.
(Note – bulimia nervosa can often be confused with gastrointestinal disorders which should be eliminated as a diagnosis in the first instance).
Natural remedies can treat bulimia nervosa. These include healthy but not excessive exercise patterns. Therapies which can assist the sufferer include nutritional counselling, psychosocial interventions which take account of the sufferers cognitive and psychological development and social situation, interpersonal psychotherapy, counselling, family therapy, any therapies which assist in improving one’s sense of self, such as hypnotherapy, relation, reflexology etc. A combination of anti-depressant therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy can also be quite effective.
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Repeated vomiting usually results in a disturbance of the body electrolytes, physical complications (such as epileptic seizures, cardiac arrhythmias and muscular weakness). In extreme cases, death can result.
BodyWhys, PO Box 105, Blackrock, Co Dublin, provide a helpline for anyone wishing to avail of their support services - 01 283 5126.
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