Bulimia Nervosa Research Paper

For my disability research paper I am choosing to write on Bulimia Nervosa which is the act of binge eating then proceeding to vomit it all out. Bulimia nervosa affects 1-2% of adolescent and young adult women. There were several factors that contributed to the choice. I am interested in learning more about it and why many young people, majority of young ladies, fall into this category and have this disorder. Unfortunately, I feel that this disorder can be a trend at times. I chose this disorder because I went through a troubling stage in my life where I thought I was not a thin person. In reality now that I think of it I considered 130 pounds to be in the large frame for me. Being that I adore food more than anything in the world I decided
that anorexia would not cut it and therefore began to consume big portions of food, then turn around and secretly hurl it out. This phase did not last long because I sought other options such as eating healthy and exercising. Another reason I chose this disorder is because the question about how much someone weights will always be a sensitive issue to mainly women. Bulimia Nervosa is interesting to me for it can be unknowingly addicting and life-threatening. I have also witnessed it with my own eyes as young, healthy girls turn to this option as a form of losing weight. Lastly, the thing that strikes me the most is that usually people with bulimia nervosa usually never appear to be above their body weight. Bulimia Nervosa is an eating disorder in which a person lives daily on an organized cycle that includes binge eating then self-induced vomiting to compensate for the binge eating.
The disorder itself is said to be a form of motivation to dieting however has serious consequences if prolonged. People with bulimia will eat large amounts of food in a short time and will want to get rid of it later. The most common form of getting rid of the food is through sticking your finger close to your throat and making oneself throw up. Other forms are using medications such as laxatives to quickly dispose of all that food. The reason people are bulimic is because food gives them a feeling of comfort however eating too much makes them lose control. Guilt plays a very impactful role in bulimia being that it is the reason why they purge. Bulimia is most common in teens, majority of them girls. It can be known to be a long-term disorder and may last into adulthood. This eating disorder is like other eating disorders in that family history, social factors and personality traits all contribute to the uprising of it. Bulimics may have had family history of obesity or an eating disorder. It may suggest that the disorder might be inherited. Also the stress of being in a sport that requires one to be in a thin body size is a cause. Other causes are stressful life events such a divorce, school, or losing loved ones. Being a perfectionist can sometimes cause bulimia because one is constantly
worrying about their shape or self-esteem is low. The symptoms of people with bulimia are binging on a daily basis, hurling to get rid of their food and self-esteem issues related to their body image.
People with bulimia usually show many signs of low self-esteem concerning their weight and believe that they must lose some weight. They worry too much about how they look. Bulimics eat and eat and when the guilt kicks in they feel awful for eating all that. They feel fat and want to get rid of the food. It just does not happen once but it continues and becomes a habit, a continuing, addicting and harmful cycle. People with bulimia eat excessively and use several forms of getting rid of the food. They begin to abuse even laxatives to empty themselves. Using the bathroom frequently after meals is a sign that one may be bulimic. Some exercise excessively to the point where they wear themselves out. Hurling so much causes dental problems because the acid from the stomach affect the teeth. It is not a pleasant sight and is disgusting because it stains the teeth and discoloration occurs. Calluses on the back of the hands and knuckles show from the self-induced vomiting. Symptoms also include depression or mood swings and feeling out of control. A certain detachment may occur as they withdraw themselves from friends and their usual activities. There are areas that begin to swell such as the glands in the neck and face. Women may experience irregular periods. Other symptoms include heartburn, bloating and indigestion. The pressure
of puking may cause bloodshot eyes and weakness. There is a constant dissatisfaction with their body and concern themselves with attaining a certain body shape. The fear of becoming overweight lingers in their minds. Bulimics show signs of fatigue and illness. Also finding wrappers from food or medications such as laxatives of diuretics is a sign of bulimia. Bulimia nervosa can be extremely harmful to the body and many do not expect that. The prognosis of the disorder is delicate as are all eating disorders. The long-term cases may lead to higher risks. The erosion of the teeth occurs when it is constantly exposed to acidic gastric contents. When this happens the teeth may increase in sensitivity to the hot or cold food. Complications of higher risk are stomach ulcers and rupturing of the stomach and esophagus. The entire digestion system can be damaged leading to imbalances in the body. Dehydration is a very common complication. An electrolyte imbalance can cause irregular heartbeats. Heart failure is a long-term effect. In severe cases a heart attack may occur. Abusing the laxatives can lead to constipation and irregular bowel movements. The depression and low self-esteem put bulimics at a higher risk for suicidal behavior. Bulimia treatment involves physical and psychological attention. Counseling is very critical to work through the recovery. Medications are often prescribed such as antidepressants. Many professionals are involved in contributed their knowledge. These professionals include nutritionists, medical doctors and psychological doctors. The treatment objective is to establish and regulate normal eating patterns all while trying to restore the health of the person. Combinations of therapies are tailored to help the person. Peer support is important for teenagers who are struggling recovering. Usually having the acceptance and support of others like oneself will encourage one to go through the process of recovery. People with bulimia nervosa usually binge eat as a way of coping with distressing emotions or discomfort with their body image. Other types of therapy include dance therapy, yoga therapy, music therapy, spiritual therapy and the list continues. All are helpful programs that dedicate their objective to recovering people. In a college classroom, it might be a little difficult to identify a bulimic. They do not like to drink water and tend to waste it. Bulimics show signs of being over-achievers. They have sever mood swings and might burst out during class. One might be able to spot wrappers of laxatives in their possession. Also bulimics eat a lot and might constantly be eating in class and feeling depressed. Common stereotypes associated with this disorder is the belief that only woman are like this. The majority of them are women however. Usually gymnasts as well as dancers are perceived to struggle with his eating disorder. The stress cause them to constantly be eating and secretly trying to sneak off to a bathroom. Athletes that has strict coaches and requirements tend to fall into bulimia because of the stress of wanting to fit in. Models are also vulnerable to this eating disorder and the pressure for that is high. The disorder can be misunderstood by others by thinking that these people just seek attention and are nothing but egocentric. Many might say that they do it to fit in. Also because weight loss is a very common issue among women, people think that bulimia might be okay if occasionally touched. No it is not healthy to make yourself throw up every other two weeks or take laxatives every third meal to clean your system. Many do not understand the complications of severity of the disorder. Some might mistake bulimia for anorexia and they are actually different. Anorexia is the eating disorder where people choose to starve themselves and eat the smallest portion of food just to get through the day. The complications of people with anorexia are larger and often more serious than bulimics. They are both however are still caused by the obsession of having a thin, slim figure. Bulimia nervosa is a very sensitive issue and there is things that can be done to increase awareness. For starters I believe society has made a terrible mistake by putting a huge emphasis on the beauty of always looking thin. Victoria Secret models live by strict rules and diets and make it known to the world. It’s like they make it acceptable to live that way. They take it to an extreme that is not necessary. Society should change that outlook by stressing the importance of feeling comfortable in your own healthy body shape. After researching this disorder, I have learned that bulimia may be inherited. It is unfortunate to have the same eating disorder as a family member because dealing with it is not easy. Also some of the severe high risk complications such as heart failure and stomach ulcers are life-threatening. I suggest to others to always think before they speak. Many bulimics are sensitive and if anyone were to ever tell them a critical comment that would devastate them. They need all the peer support possible to help them find other healthy methods of coping. Bulimia Nervosa is one of other eating disorders that unfortunately is caused by dissatisfaction with one’s body image. Curing this condition is difficult. It leads to extreme measures of making oneself hurl and take laxatives to empty themselves out. It is a very delicate disorder and should be taken as seriously as any other disorder. Believing as a society, we can improve the chances of people recovering. There are possibilities of relapses and long-term effects among bulimics and are forever impacted by the choices they made. Interestingly enough, the outlook for people with bulimia is more positive than the outcome for people with anorexia.
REFERENCES
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