Bulimia is a psychological eating disorder in which you binge eat or consume a lot of food at one sitting and then purge to get rid of the excess calories in an undesirable way.
Bulimics may adopt a variety of strategies to get rid of calories and avoid weight gain, such as excessive use of laxatives and diuretics, vomiting, fasting, compulsive exercise, and so on.

Symptoms

Bulimia symptoms and signs include being preoccupied with your body shape and weight, eating excessively large amounts of food in one sitting on multiple occasions, feeling out of control while bingeing, fear of gaining weight, excessive use of dietary supplements or herbal items for weight loss, pushing yourself to vomit or exercise excessively to avoid gaining weight after bingeing, fasting, calorie restriction, or avoiding certain meals between binges, and so on.

Causes

Bulimia’s actual cause is unknown. Genetics, biology, emotional health, societal expectations, and other factors could all have a part in the development of eating disorders. Bulimia affects more girls and women than it does boys and men.

Bulimia usually starts in late adolescence or early adulthood. Eating disorders are often linked to psychological and emotional difficulties such as depression, anxiety disorders, and substance use disorders. Dieters are at a greater risk of having eating problems. Many persons with bulimia severely restrict their calorie intake in between binge episodes, which might lead to the need to binge eat and then purge again.

Treatment

1. Medications

The antidepressant fluoxetine has been licensed by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of bulimia.

2. Psychotherapy

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is used to assist patients to acquire healthy eating habits and recognize triggers for bingeing or purging. When irrational thoughts and unhealthy actions develop, patients confront them.

3. Family-based treatment (FBT)

It is frequently used in the treatment of bulimia in children and teenagers, and it aids the family in dealing with the condition and the problems it might cause.

4. Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT)

This focuses on the patient’s concerns with their relationships with other individuals in their lives. Their emotional and mental health might be influenced by how they connect with others.

5. Nutritional therapy

The intention is to instill good eating habits in the patients. Patients engage with a dietician to learn to detect hunger and fullness cues from their bodies. Dietitians assist in weight maintenance and the development of a healthier eating attitude.

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