Bulimia Nervosa Research Paper
“In yet another paradox, bulimia nervosa serves as both an expression of feelings and a defense against experiencing feelings, particularly shame, anger, loneliness, sadness, envy, and guilt. A person with bulimia nervosa fear, whether consciously or unconsciously, that painful feelings would be unbearable, even annihilating” (Reindl). In her book, Sensing the Self, Reindl gives a glimpse into what it would be like to have an eating disorder termed Bulimia Nervosa. Bulimia nervosa is a serious, potentially life-threatening eating disorder characterized by a cycle of bingeing and compensatory behaviors such as self-induced vomiting designed to undo or compensate for the effects of binge eating. In the United States at least 30 million people
…show more content…
A person with bulimia often has an emotional attachment to food and might eat more than 2,000 calories in one sitting and then induce vomiting. Vomiting, however, is not the only method of purging. Excessive exercise, laxative use, enemas, fasting or a combination of purging methods are common alternatives to vomiting. People who binge without purging often receive the diagnosis of binge eating disorder. Other symptoms include a feeling of being out of control during the binge-eating episodes, and self-esteem overly related to body image. Many people with bulimia also struggle with co-occurring conditions such as self-injury (cutting and other forms of self-harm without suicidal intention), substance abuse, and impulsivity (risky sexual behaviors, shoplifting, etc.). The cycles of binging and purging that come with bulimia nervosa put severe stress on the individual’s body. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, your heart is not built to withstand laxative use or daily vomiting. This type of stress may cause arrhythmia, heart palpitations, heart attacks or death. Repeated vomiting erodes the enamel of your teeth, leading to yellow teeth, mouth sensitivity and rapid tooth decay. For women, bulimia often causes fertility issues. Repeated binging stretches the stomach and increases the amount of food you are able to eat; however, the human body does have a limit. In
A person with bulimia often has an emotional attachment to food and might eat more than 2,000 calories in one sitting and then induce vomiting. Vomiting, however, is not the only method of purging. Excessive exercise, laxative use, enemas, fasting or a combination of purging methods are common alternatives to vomiting. People who binge without purging often receive the diagnosis of binge eating disorder. Other symptoms include a feeling of being out of control during the binge-eating episodes, and self-esteem overly related to body image. Many people with bulimia also struggle with co-occurring conditions such as self-injury (cutting and other forms of self-harm without suicidal intention), substance abuse, and impulsivity (risky sexual behaviors, shoplifting, etc.). The cycles of binging and purging that come with bulimia nervosa put severe stress on the individual’s body. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, your heart is not built to withstand laxative use or daily vomiting. This type of stress may cause arrhythmia, heart palpitations, heart attacks or death. Repeated vomiting erodes the enamel of your teeth, leading to yellow teeth, mouth sensitivity and rapid tooth decay. For women, bulimia often causes fertility issues. Repeated binging stretches the stomach and increases the amount of food you are able to eat; however, the human body does have a limit. In