Eating disorders such as Bulimia, medically termed bulimia nervosa are often difficult to diagnose. What makes it difficult to determine if an individual is suffering from bulimia is the nature of this disorder. Self-image plays an important part in the intensity of this disorder. Some individuals suffering from bulimia may also suffer from another eating disorder anorexia or anorexia nervosa in conjunction with bulimia. Bulimia forces individuals to binge on food without any self-control. Later, they may try to purge this food using various means such as laxatives, inducing nausea or vomiting, perform excessive workouts or go on extended periods of food deprivation. All of these efforts aim at one thing—avoiding weight gain. In fact, the fear and/or guilt of being overweight can drive individuals to suffer from other psychological problems as well as from malnutrition. Studies suggest that more women than men suffer from Bulimia and young adults and adolescents are more prone to suffer from this eating disorder owing to societal and peer pressure.
Definition of Bulimia
Bulimia Nervosa is a serious and fatal eating disorder that forces individuals to go on unhealthy food binges and then purge through extreme means such as laxatives, exercise and induced vomiting. Individuals obsessed with their body shape and weight, food calories and general appearance fall under the purview of the above mentioned Bulimia definition. They are overtly critical about the way they look and what they eat. The eating disorder is as much about their perceived or false self-image as it is about food.