Warning signs of bulimia nervosa

It is characterized by repeated episodes of excessive food intake in a short period of time.

Anna Aranda Reig

Psychiatrist. Integrated Functional Unit for Eating Disorders. Mental Health Area

Hospital Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona

Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder that particularly affects women. Although it can also occur in men, there are far fewer cases.

As with anorexia nervosa, people with bulimia show excessive concern about weight, body image and figure. It tends to be a more difficult disorder to detect, as the affected person may be of normal weight, underweight or overweight.

It easily goes unnoticed, especially by those around it, and it is quite common for family and loved ones to be unaware of it. The person experiences it with feelings of shame and guilt. For this reason, help is usually sought when the problem is already advanced, so it is common for people to seek help in adulthood.

How is bulimia nervosa diagnosed and treated?

Bulimia can be the debut of an eating disorder, but it is also common for it to appear as a result of a change from anorexia nervosa (for which one is or has been in treatment). In the childhood and adolescence stage, it has an approximate prevalence of between 1-3%.

The onset of bulimia nervosa is multifactorial. It is influenced by:

Genetic factors .
Psychological factors , such as self-demanding and perfectionism.
Social factors . We currently have a beauty model that values thinness, there is a lot of social pressure for body image and social networks feed these models.
Family factors . The family must be a healthy model in body values and eating habits.
Triggering factors . They are related to a negative emotional experience, such as confinement, for example.
Maintenance factors . They include the aforementioned factors (individual, family and social psychological).

Bulimia nervosa is characterized by:

Episodes of binge eating (voracious and uncontrolled eating) in which a large amount of food is ingested in a short space of time and generally in secret, with a feeling of loss of control.
Presence of inappropriate compensatory behaviors to try to reduce the effects of overeating/binge eating (self-induced vomiting, increased physical activity, fasting, laxatives or diuretics).
Discomfort with body image and weight : however, alterations in weight do not necessarily occur, since they can be of normal weight, underweight or overweight.

Anorexia and bulimia during summer vacation

Promote a positive body self-image.
Develop a critical sense in relation to aesthetic ideals.
Promote positive eating habits.
Have at least one meal a day as a family.
Avoid conversations that talk about physical appearance or weight.
Do not go on diets without medical supervision.
Ask for help if you have any suspicions.

Warning signs of bulimia nervosa:

Go to the bathroom immediately after meals and frequently.
Making derogatory comments about one's own body.
Following diets or refusing certain types of food.
Do intense physical exercise.
Change weight abruptly.
Having frequent mood swings.
Having excessive, unjustified expenses, which may be due to buying food on the sly.
Having frequent diarrhea for no apparent reason.
Having injuries (scars, calluses) on the fingers.