MENTAL HEALTH
Bulimia Nervosa: An interesting eating disorder
DR. MILIVA MOZAFFOR
Bulimia Nervosa: An interesting eating disorder
DR. MILIVA MOZAFFOR
Today we will talk about one of the Eating Disorders called Bulimia nervosa. Eating Disorders do not care about whom you are, the amount of money you make or your relationship status. Eating disorders are terrifying, and no one is immune. Anybody, from a princess to a pauper, can fall victim to this life-altering, life-threatening, mental illness. And celebrities are no exception. The most powerful, the most beautiful, the people we admire as stars have been (or are) afflicted. Even Princess Diana, one of the most beloved and most admired women in the world, struggled with bulimia for many years following her fairy-tale wedding. The pressures of constantly being in the public eye put a strain on Princess Diana, and she referred to bulimia as her “escape mechanism”. Her battle began in 1981 and continued until late in the decade, when she finally sought treatment. Princess Diana used her own example as a way to raise awareness and her brave speech regarding her personal struggles gave courage to many people to start talking about their own eating disorders.
Bulimia nervosa, also known as simply bulimia, is an eating disorder characterized by binge eating followed by purging. Binge eating refers to eating a large amount of food in a short amount of time. Purging refers to the attempts to get rid of the food consumed. This may be done by vomiting or taking laxatives. Other efforts to lose weight may include the use of diuretics, stimulants, water fasting, or excessive exercise. Most people with bulimia are at a normal weight. Bulimia is frequently associated with other mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, and problems with drugs or alcohol. There is also a higher risk of suicide and self-harm. Bulimia is about nine times more likely to occur in women than men. Among women, rates are highest in young adults.
Bulimia has no known cause. However, there are a couple of factors that can influence its development. People with mental health conditions or a distorted view of reality are at higher risk. Other factors include:
1
Anger issues
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depression
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perfectionism
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impulsiveness
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past traumatic event
Some research suggests that bulimia is hereditary, or could be caused by a serotonin deficiency in the brain.
PHOENIX
Broadly, causes of Bulimia are biological as well as social. Genetic predispositions, abnormal levels of many hormones, notably serotonin, have been shown to be responsible for biological causes. Media portrayals of an ‘ideal’ body shape are widely considered to be a social contributing factor to bulimia in a 1991 study by Weltzin, Hsu, Pollicle, and Kaye, it was stated that 19% of bulimics under eat, 37% of bulimics eat an average or normal amount of food, and 44% of bulimics overeat. A survey of 15- to 18-year-old high school girls in Nadroga, Fiji, found the self-reported incidence of purging rose from 0% in 1995 (a few weeks after the introduction of television in the province) to 11.3% in 1998. In addition, the suicide rate among people with bulimia nervosa is 7.5 times higher than in the general population.
There are two main types of treatment given to those suffering with bulimia nervosa; psychopharmacological and psychosocial treatments. We have to seek help if we experience Bulimia in our lifetime with no delay.
Dr. Miliva Mozaffor
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