Bulimia in Males

Bulimia Nervosa is commonly referred to as bulimia. Bulimia is a common eating disorder among individuals of a normal or nearly normal weigh. Bulimia is characterized by episodic binge eating and followed by feelings of guilt, depression, and self-condemnation (Lewingsohn et al., 2002). Bulimia is seen as a major concern not only in females, but now more than ever, for males as well. More and more males are being diagnosed with bulimia each year, which is leading more health professionals to take a greater interest in the male segment of this eating disorder. Bulimia in males can be divided into two specific types: a purging type and a non-purging type. The purging type occurs during episodes of Bulimia, the person will engage in self-induced vomiting or the misuse of laxatives, diuretics, and enemas (Muise, Stein, & Arbess, 2003). The second type, non-purging is more commonly seen in males. It involves compulsive methods of weight loss like fast or excessive exercise in attempt to burn off calories eaten while bingeing. This method does not include any form of self-inducted vomiting or the use of laxatives (Lewinsohn et al., 2002). This paper will focus on three aspects of bulimia, the signs and symptoms of bulimia, and how psychotherapy, medication, and self-help programs are being used to treat bulimia.    
Bulimia was not a well-recognized disorder in females or in males. After first being acknowledged as an eating disorder in the 1980's bulimia nervosa was given a more concrete definition. Bulimia nervosa was defined as a psychological eating disorder characterized by episodes of binge eating followed by unconventional methods of weight control (Mangweth et al., 2004). Some methods of weight control include: vomiting, fasting, enemas, excessive use of laxatives and diuretics, compulsive exercising and obsession with weight and body shape. Bingeing is defined as an episode where an individual eats a larger amount of food than the average person in a short... [continues]

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