|
Here
are some great books to learn more about Bulimia
and Eating Disorders.
Click on the book cover for more information.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
What
is Bulimia?
Bulimia is an obsession with food and weight characterized
by repeated overeating binges followed by compensatory
behavior, such as forced vomiting or excessive exercise.
For an epidemic number of women and men, bulimia is
a secret addiction that dominates their thoughts,
undercuts their self-esteem, and threatens their lives.
The
symptoms are described by the Egyptians and in the
Hebrew Talmud; and bulimia (Greek for "ox-hunger")
was widely practiced during Greek and Roman times.
In the later half of the twentieth century, though,
eating disorders, and particularly bulimia, have been
identified as widespread cultural phenomena. Bulimia
is also termed bulimia nervosa and bulimarexia. In
1980, the American Psychiatric Association formally
recognized bulimia. In its fourth edition, the Diagnostic
and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (APA, 1994)
lists the following criteria that an individual must
meet to be diagnosed:
A.
Recurrent episodes of binge eating, with an episode
characterized by (1) eating in a discrete period of
time, usually less than two hours, an amount of food
that is significantly larger than most people would
eat during a similar period of time and under similar
circumstances; and, (2) a sense of lack of control
over eating during the episode, such as a feeling
that one cannot stop eating.
B.
Recurrent inappropriate compensatory behavior in order
to prevent weight gain, such as self-induced vomiting,
misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or enemas (purging
type); or, through fasting or excessive exercise
(nonpurging type).
C.
These behaviors occur at least twice a week for at
least three months.
D.
Self-evaluation is unduly influenced by body shape
and weight.
E.
The behavior does not only occur during episodes
of anorexia nervosa.
These
cases are also life-damaging and need to be taken
seriously. Although the overt symptoms of bulimia
revolve around food behaviors and a fear of gaining
weight, bulimia is actually a way to cope with personal
distress and emotional pain. Eating binges take time
and focus away from more disturbing issues, and purges
are an effective way to regain the control and feelings
of safety lost during the binge. Also, while bulimic
behavior may have started as a seemingly-innocent
way to lose weight, the cycle of bingeing and purging
usually becomes an addictive escape from all kinds
of other problems.
Reprinted
from Bulimia:
A Guide to Recovery
by Lindsey Hall and Leigh Cohn
Click
here for more articles on Eating Disorders
