Bulimia Help

Bulimia Nervosa (commonly referred to as bulimia) is an eating disorder in which a person engages in recurrent episodes of binge eating followed by feelings of guilt and depression. After binging the person feels the need to make compensatory behaviors to make up for their excessive eating.

This compensatory behavior is known as 'purging'.

Purging can take the form of fasting, vomiting, using laxatives, diuretics, over exercising or a combination of them all.

The term Bulimia comes from the Greek word ΒΟΥΛῑΜΙΑ (BOULĪMIA), which means ravenous hunger. It was only in 1979 that Bulimia Nervosa was recognized by doctors as an eating disorder in its own right.

People with Bulimia Nervosa often have normal body weight, however they can be underweight, overweight, or even show dramatic weight fluctuations.

Many people binge and purge to help them cope with difficulties present in their life, however binging and purging only deepens and adds to problems.

When purging takes place to counterbalance binging many make a promise never to binge and purge again. Instead they go on a strict fast or diet regime, leaving themselves open to future binging and purging.

Binging and purging leaves most feeling exhausted and withdrawn; they may also feel depressed and disgusted with themselves over their lack of control and believe that they are fully responsible for binging. Many feel embarrassed and guilty about it so keep it hidden from others.