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Signs & Symptoms of Bulimia


Symptoms of bulimia range from physical to psychological since many of the issues are related to self image and not just food or eating patterns.

  • Individuals suffer from loss of self-control over eating patterns and food portions. They may tend to eat unlimited quantities even when the stomach signals satisfaction. The food maybe eaten secretly or in private due to feelings of guilt or shame attached to binging.
  • Individuals may continue to eat copious amounts of food despite discomfort or pain from overeating. Binges can often leave patients suffering from distended abdomen, indigestion, bloating, nausea and shortness of breath.
  • Binge periods often involve more food than a normal snack or meal. Individuals will sometimes continue to eat until all the food is over or until there is an interruption.
  • Induced nausea or vomiting is the first alarming sign of bulimia nervosa. The guilt of having overeaten or the fear of calories makes the patient induce vomiting. Individuals suffering from bulimia believe that they need to purge the calories to maintain their weight.
  • Bulimic individuals may also resort to substance abuse such as misuse of laxatives, diuretics and enemas to purge themselves.
  •   Non-purging bulimia makes individuals exercise excessively, limit food portions or starve in an effort to lose weight.
  • Individuals suffering from bulimia place undue focus on their body shape. They are often self critical, suffer from low self esteem and negative body image. They see themselves as fat and overweight even if they are not.
Untreated bulimia may manifest itself in the form of physical malformation and malnutrition symptoms:

  • Individuals may suffer from irregular bowel movement due to unhealthy eating patterns.
  • Women may suffer from hormonal imbalance due to malnutrition. This would also indicate irregular menstruation or loss of periods called amenorrhea.
  • Malnutrition in bulimic patients may lead to dehydration, sore gums, ulcers in the mouth or throat area, cuts and calluses on elbows and knees, thinning hair, dry and damaged skin and so on.
  • Mental disorders such as depression and anxiety attacks are other symptoms experienced by bulimic patients.

Types
Causes
References
  1. Bulimia nervosa in overweight and normal-weight women Masheb, Robin / White, Marney A., Comprehensive Psychiatry, 53 (2), p.181-186, Feb 2012
  2. A Review Of The Definitions Of Outcome Used In The Treatment Of Bulimia Nervosa Williams, Sarah E. / Watts, Thomas K.O. / Wade, Tracey D., Clinical Psychology Review, In Press, Accepted Manuscript,Feb 2012