Bulimia nervosa

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Bulimia nervosa

Bulimia nervosa (pronounced boo-LEE-mee-uh nur-VOH-suh) is a serious and potentially life-threatening eating disorder characterized by a cycle of binge eating and compensatory behaviors such as self-induced vomiting designed to undo or compensate for the effects of binge eating.

Etymology

The term "bulimia" comes from the Greek word "bous", meaning "ox", and "limos", meaning "hunger". "Nervosa" is derived from Latin and means "nervous". Thus, "bulimia nervosa" translates to "nervous ox hunger", reflecting the disorder's characteristic cycle of binge eating and anxiety.

Symptoms

People with bulimia nervosa often consume unusually large amounts of food and feel unable to stop eating (binge eating). This is followed by behavior that compensates for the overeating such as forced vomiting, excessive use of laxatives or diuretics, fasting, excessive exercise, or a combination of these behaviors (purging).

Causes

The exact cause of bulimia nervosa is unknown, but it is believed to result from a combination of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors. These may include societal pressure and a culture that values thinness, personal history of trauma or abuse, and certain personality traits such as perfectionism or impulsivity.

Treatment

Treatment for bulimia nervosa typically involves a combination of nutritional counseling, psychotherapy, and medication. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is considered the most effective treatment for bulimia.

Related Terms

  • Anorexia nervosa: Another type of eating disorder characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image.
  • Binge eating disorder: An eating disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of eating large quantities of food.
  • Body dysmorphic disorder: A mental disorder in which you can't stop thinking about one or more perceived defects or flaws in your appearance.

External links

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