Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by recurrent binge eating, followed by compensatory behaviors referred to as "purging". The most common form - practiced by more than 75% of people with bulimia nervosa - is self-induced vomiting; fasting, the use of laxatives, enemas, diuretics, and over exercising are also common.

Bulimia is related to deep psychological issues and feelings of lack of control. Sufferers often use the destructive eating pattern to feel in control over their lives. They may hide or hoard food and overeat when stressed or upset. They may feel a loss of control during a binge, and consume great quantities of food (sometimes over 20,000 calories). After a length of time, the sufferer of bulimia will find that they no longer have control over their binging and purging. The binging becomes an addiction that seems impossible to break. Recovery is very hard, and often, in the early stages of recovery, the patient will gain weight as they rehydrate and obtain electrolytes that they have lost during the purging process. There are higher rates of eating disorders in groups involved in activities that emphasize thinness and body type, such as gymnastics, modeling, dance, cheerleading, running, acting and figure skating.