The Binge-Purge Cycle
Bulimia Nervosa is a particularly disturbing behavioral health disorder because the individual is purposely making themselves ill. Bulimia is an eating disorder characterized by periods of eating huge amounts of food, referred to as bingeing, followed by some form of purging behavior to prevent weight gain. There are many different ways to purge, including forced vomiting, fasting, extreme exercise, and abuse of laxatives. The purging behavior can be harmful to their health and cause other health-related problems such as dehydration, tooth enamel erosion, imbalances in electrolytes, heart irregularities, digestion problems, andeven tears in the esophagus or stomach lining. Often bulimics engage in the binge and purge cycle several times a week and become tolerant of the disagreeable experiences of purging. Self-induced vomiting, in particular, causes damage to taste receptors which makes it easier to throw-up due to the insensitivity to many tastes. Many times patients with bulimia report purging gives them a sense of control, in an otherwise stressful or anxious state. It may also be brought on by a traumatic event, with many bulimics also being victims of sexual abuse (Illiades, MD, 2010).
Populations and Cultures Effected by Bulimia Nervosa Young women are more likely to develop this disorder. The average onset of bulimia is 20 years old (Hudson, Hiripi, Pope, & Kessler, 2007). The typical bulimic is a young Caucasian female of upper or middle class status. In fact, up to 84% of bulimics are college educated and most maintain a normal weight despite their efforts to purge (Illiades, MD, 2010). Often times, bulimia nervosa is comorbid with depression, anxiety, and/or substance abuse. Most reportsstate that women make up anywhere from 85-98% of cases of Bulimia Nervosa, therefore it is rare for a man to be affected, but not unheard of.