Bulimia nervosa is a life-threatening mental illness characterised by periods of food restriction followed by binge eating, with recurrent compensating behaviours such as purging or restriction.
While the causes of bulimia nervosa are not completely understood, most medical and psychological professionals, acknowledge that an array of biological, social, genetic, and psychological factors play a role in increasing the risk of its onset.
The individual may also be affected by other mental illnesses, including:
Bulimia nervosa may also be linked with self-harm and suicidality.
Bulimia nervosa is a life threatening mental illness characterized by:
Individuals with bulimia nervosa often experience shame or embarrassment and may go to extreme lengths to hide these behaviours. They often fall within a “normal” weight range, though there may be frequent fluctuations, making it difficult for loved ones to recognize the eating disorder.
Note: Vomiting can cause severe dehydration and damage to the esophagus and mouth. Dehydration can also be caused by the misuse of laxatives and diuretics and excessive exercise. These types of purging can lead to imbalances in essential body minerals and salts, which can cause cardiac arrest and/or stroke.
Anorexia nervosa is a serious mental illness characterised by behaviours that interfere with maintaining an adequate weight.
Biological, social, genetic, and psychological factors play a role in increasing the risk of its onset.
Bulimia nervosa is a serious mental illness characterised by periods of food restriction followed by binge eating, with recurrent compensating behaviours to “purge” the body of the food.
Biological, social, genetic, and psychological factors play a role in increasing the risk of its onset.
Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) involves limitations in the amount and/or types of food consumed, but unlike anorexia, ARFID does not involve any distress about body shape or size, or fears of fatness.
ARFID is a mental illness which can severely compromise growth, development, and health.
Binge eating disorder is a mental illness that can seriously affect psychological and physical health. It is characterized by recurrent episodes of eating large quantities of food then experiencing shame, distress or guilt afterwards.
Other Specified Feeding and Eating Disorders refers to atypical presentations of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder, among other eating disorders.
These eating disorders are equally serious and as potentially life-threatening as the more typical presentations.
Including pica, rumination disorder and unspecified feeding or eating disorder