Bulimia is an eating disorder that consists of episodes in which the person ingests large amounts of food far in excess of what is necessary. During this ingestion the person feels that he/she cannot stop eating and therefore there is a loss of control.
During binge eating, foods that are normally rejected because they are considered hypercaloric are usually eaten. The way of eating is also unusual, voracious and compulsive, gobbling food without tasting it and mixing food without order.
In addition, people with bulimia have an excessive preoccupation with gaining weight. Therefore, binge eating is often accompanied by practices to compensate for its effects on weight. Vomiting together with the abnormal use of laxatives and diuretics are the most frequent resource to achieve this.
Triggers
One of the main factors that trigger binge eating is dysphoric mood states such as anxiety, sadness, anger or boredom. So are stressful situations and, commonly, other situations of everyday life that have become associated with binge eating.
People suffering from bulimia are characterized by not controlling their impulses, not only those related to the food area, (consumption of toxic substances, sexual promiscuity, changes of job and partner, and even stealing and lying).
There are multiple causes that can lead to bulimia nervosa. Firstly, genetic factors which, at the very least, act as predisposing agents. Also sociocultural factors, the rigid and demanding canons of current beauty have much to do both in the onset and maintenance of the disorder. And finally, the emotional fragility of each individual. Low self-esteem and perfectionism are frequent characteristics among patients with bulimia.
The consequences of bulimia can be very serious and affect the individual on a psychological level (mood alterations), on a social level (social relationships are greatly affected by this problem) and, above all, on a physical level (abdominal dilatation, ulcers, kidney problems and cardiovascular alterations that can even lead to death).
Combined treatment
The psychological treatment that has proven most effective is cognitive-behavioral treatment. This type of treatment aims to modify the thoughts, attitudes, feelings and behaviors that maintain this eating disorder, as well as to improve those aspects of the person’s life that are altered, such as their social relationships, self-esteem, low mood…