| Bulimia nervosa: Overview | 282.000000000000 | Bulimia nervosa: Overview | Bulimia nervosa: Overview | B | English | Psychiatry | Teen (13-18 years) | NA | NA | Conditions and diseases | Caregivers
Adult (19+) | NA | | 2016-02-02T05:00:00Z | | | | | | 11.4000000000000 | 42.1000000000000 | 582.000000000000 | | Health (A-Z) - Conditions | Health A-Z | <p>Learn about the main features and causes of bulimia nervosa.</p> | <h2>What is bulimia nervosa?</h2><p>Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder and mental health condition that involves binge eating followed by inappropriate compensation, usually through purging behaviours.</p><ul><li>Binge eating is a period of uncontrolled eating, when a large amount of food is eaten in a short period of time. It is often followed by the person feeling shame over their perceived lack of control.</li><li>Purging is when a person with bulimia nervosa induces vomiting or uses laxatives or other pills to rid their body of the calories they consumed during their binge. Some people with bulimia nervosa will also go through periods of starvation or do excessive exercise to try to lose weight.</li></ul><p>People with bulimia nervosa are very good at hiding their illness. They may be of average or above average weight, but they often have abnormal attitudes towards food and struggle with poor body image.</p><p>Bulimia nervosa is more common than anorexia nervosa. However, people with bulimia nervosa often do not seek help, as they may be embarrassed by or ashamed of their eating patterns. As a result, bulimia nervosa may go undiagnosed for some time.</p> | | <h2>Key points</h2><ul><li>Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder and mental health condition that involves binge eating followed by inappropriate compensation through purging.</li><li>Binge eating involves eating a large amount of food in an uncontrolled way in a short period of time. It is often followed by feelings of guilt and shame. </li><li>Purging can include induced vomiting, use of laxatives or other pills or, sometimes, periods of starvation or too much exercise.</li><li>Bulimia nervosa arises from a mix of social factors, stressful life events and genetics. It usually begins between the ages of 14 and 22 and often occurs with a mental health condition such as depression or a substance use disorder.</li></ul> | | | <h2>What causes bulimia nervosa?</h2><p>The exact causes of bulimia nervosa are unknown. Generally, bulimia nervosa results from a mix of social factors, stressful life events and genetics. Often, people who develop bulimia nervosa begin their illness with a period of attempted or actual weight loss.</p><h3>Social factors</h3><p>Peer pressure to fit in, dieting and the media's emphasis on being thin may all play a part in someone developing bulimia nervosa. Other factors include certain environments or activities such as involvement in a body-based sport such as gymnastics, which may put pressure on a child or teen to lose weight.</p><h3>Stressful life events</h3><p>A person may develop bulimia nervosa after experiencing stress or a trauma. The stress or trauma may cause them to feel a loss of control that is reflected in bingeing and purging.</p><h3>Genetics</h3><p>Having a relative who has been diagnosed with an eating disorder may be a risk factor for developing bulimia nervosa. Also, certain temperaments or personality traits, such as increased impulsivity, may make someone more likely to develop bulimia nervosa.</p><h2>Who is affected by bulimia nervosa?</h2><p>Bulimia nervosa typically begins between the ages of 14 and 22. It may often occur with an existing mental health condition such as depression or a substance use disorder.</p> | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | <h2>Further information</h2><p>For more information on bulimia nervosa, please see the following pages:</p><p>
<a href="/Article?contentid=283&language=English">Bulimia nervosa: Signs and symptoms</a></p><p>
<a href="/Article?contentid=281&language=English">Bulimia nervosa: Medical complications</a></p><p>
<a href="/Article?contentid=706&language=English">Bulimia nervosa: Treatment options</a></p><p>
<a href="/Article?contentid=294&language=English">Bulimia nervosa: How to help your child at home</a></p>
<h2>Resources</h2><p>
<a href="http://www.nedic.ca/" target="_blank">NEDIC – National Eating Disorder Information Centre</a> (Canada)<br></p><p>
<a href="https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/" target="_blank">NEDA – National Eating Disorder Association</a> (United States)<br></p><p>American Academy of Pediatrics –
<em><a href="https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/emotional-problems/Pages/Is-Your-Teen-at-Risk-for-Developing-an-Eating-Disorder.aspx" target="_blank">Eating Disorders in Children</a> </em></p><p>
<a href="https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/" target="_blank">BEAT – Beating Eating Disorders</a> (United Kingdom)<br></p><p>
<a href="https://keltyeatingdisorders.ca/" target="_blank">Kelty Eating Disorders</a> (Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre, BC Children's Hospital)</p><p>Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario –
<em><a href="https://www.cheo.on.ca/en/eating_disorder_info" target="_blank">Eating Disorders</a></em></p><p><strong>Virtual care services for children:</strong><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="text-align:left;"> Boomerang Health was opened by SickKids to provide communities in Ontario with greater access to community-based services for children and adolescents. For more information on virtual care services in Ontario to support eating disorders, visit <a href="http://www.boomeranghealth.com/services/nutrition/">Boomerang Health</a> powered by SickKids.<br></p> | | <img alt="" src="https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/AKHAssets/bulimia_overview.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/AKHAssets/bulimia_overview.jpg | | | | | | | Bulimia nervosa: Overview | | False | | | | | | |
