Last reviewed:
Feb 23rd 2023
LSW
Bulimia nervosa is a mental health condition characterized by a preoccupation with weight and body image, along with compulsive behaviors relating to food [1]. Recognizing the signs of bulimia can allow for early intervention and prevent worsening symptoms or health complications.
Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder that affects between 0.5% and 1.5% of the population [2]. It is most commonly diagnosed in adolescent females but can be present in people of any age or gender.
People with bulimia tend to have a preoccupation with their weight and engage in unhealthy behaviors around food, such as binge eating, often followed by vomiting, laxative abuse, excessive exercise, or fasting, to compensate for overeating behaviors as an attempt to prevent weight gain [1].
Many people with bulimia engage in secretive behaviors, due to feelings of guilt and shame, so it can be difficult for others to notice the warning signs. Also, unlike certain other eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, people with bulimia do not tend to be underweight or experience excessive weight loss, which also increases the difficulty in spotting signs of the disorder [1].
Symptoms of bulimia can vary from person to person, and some symptoms may occur within the context of other conditions, so they may not be a clear indicator of bulimia.
Common early warning signs of bulimia can include [3][4]:
Some of the behaviorial effects of bulimia include:
Some of the physical effects of bulimia include:
If you or a loved one is experiencing any bulimic symptoms, it is important to seek professional advice as soon as possible. Spotting the signs early can enable you or your loved one to quickly receive appropriate intervention and professional help.
If the signs are not noticed early, it is likely that the harmful behaviors will continue, and the symptoms of the condition can worsen or become prolonged, which increases the risk of serious physical consequences [5].
For example, prolonged and recurrent self-induced vomiting can lead to several serious physical health issues, such as [2][6]:
Similarly, prolonged use of laxatives can also contribute to the development of several of these physical health concerns, as well as potentially causing difficulties with bowel movements [5].
Untreated bulimia can result in nutritional deficiencies, as the amounts of food consumed during episodes of recurrent binge eating are often high in fat or sugar, which results in a lack of necessary vitamins and minerals [6].
Left untreated, bulimia can also cause irregular or missed periods in females, imbalanced hormone levels, and issues with conceiving [2][5].
It is common for those with bulimia to also experience other mental health conditions, especially anxiety disorders and depression, along with intense feelings of guilt and shame [1]. As such, it is not only important for people with the condition to receive treatment for bulimia, but also to receive professional help with managing any coexisting conditions.
Research suggests that there is a high prevalence of self-harming behaviors and death by suicide amongst those with bulimia, as well as drug and alcohol abuse [6]. This also highlights the importance of receiving professional help as early as possible, to prevent worsening mental health and the occurrence of harmful or fatal effects.
Many people diagnosed with bulimia can go on to experience a significant reduction in symptoms following effective treatments [2]. Effective ways to manage and treat bulimia include:
Resources: