Bulimia: Statistics, Causes, Signs, & Symptoms

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Education is an essential first step in the effort to heal from eating disorders. Understanding the signs, symptoms, and effects of eating disorders can help you get the right type and level of care for yourself or a loved one.

Understanding Bulimia

Learn about bulimia nervosa

Bulimia nervosa is a type of eating disorder where individuals will eat an excessive amount of food in one sitting and then take extreme measures to rid their bodies of that food. Those who are suffering from bulimia lose their ability to control the amount of food that they consume, which often results in a sense of shame and disgust. In order to compensate, people with bulimia will purge their food by forcing themselves to vomit or by using diuretics, laxatives, and/or enemas.

Bulimia causes individuals to experience a preoccupation with food, while also making them hypersensitive to their body weight and overall appearance. By purging the food they eat, they are attempting to prevent themselves from gaining weight. Yet, the behaviors become a pattern, and that pattern can be extremely difficult to break without the help of trained professionals.

Statistics

Bulimia nervosa statistics

The National Institute of Mental Health, the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, and Eating Disorders Coalition have reported the following statistics on the extent and prevalence of bulimia:

Causes & Risk Factors

Causes and risk factors for bulimia nervosa

There is not any one specific cause that triggers the development of bulimia nervosa. However, researchers have found that there are certain factors that can increase a person’s risk for struggling with bulimia, including the following:

  • Having a family member who has a history of bulimia or other mental health concerns
  • Personal history of mental health concerns (e.g., anxiety, depression)
  • Being female
  • Experiencing a trauma
  • Being the victim of physical, sexual, and/or emotional abuse
  • Exposure to environments where being thin is celebrated

Signs & Symptoms

Symptoms of bulimia nervosa

People who suffer from bulimia nervosa often present within a normal range for body weight. As a result, the fact that they are struggling with this disorder is not always apparent to those around them. However, there are certain signs and symptoms that could indicate that someone is struggling with bulimia:

Behavioral symptoms:

  • Eating excessive amounts of food in one sitting
  • Exercising excessively
  • Hiding food
  • Going to the bathroom immediately after eating
  • Frequently using laxatives, diuretics, or enemas
  • Verbalizing feelings of disgust with their body
  • Fainting spells
  • Isolating themselves from family and friends

Physical symptoms:

  • Bloodshot eyes
  • Abdominal pain
  • Ulcers
  • Swollen cheeks
  • Acid reflux
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Mouth sores
  • Tooth discoloration or decay
  • Fluctuations in weight
  • Menstrual irregularity
  • Fatigue
  • Dizziness

Mental symptoms:

  • Irritability
  • Fear of gaining weight
  • Obsession or preoccupation with food, weight, and body shape
  • Low self-esteem
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Agitation
  • Drastic shifts in mood

Effects

Effects of bulimia nervosa

The effects of bulimia can be life-altering and life-threatening. If a person who is suffering from bulimia nervosa does not receive effective treatment, they are at risk for suffering from the following:

  • Developing symptoms of other mental health concerns
  • Job loss or academic failure
  • Infertility
  • Social isolation
  • Self-harming behaviors
  • Suicidal ideation
  • Heart attack/heart failure
  • Ruptured stomach
  • Ruptured esophagus
  • Kidney failure
  • Muscular weakness
  • Substance abuse/addiction

Most tragically, continuing to engage in bulimic behaviors can ultimately lead to death if treatment is not received.

Co-Occurring Disorders

Common co-occurring disorders among people who struggle with bulimia nervosa

If you are suffering from bulimia, there is a risk that you may experience symptoms of co-occurring disorders, which can include the following:

  • Bipolar disorder
  • Depressive disorders
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Substance use disorders
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
  • Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
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