Causes+and+Symptoms

What is Bulimia
Bulimia is a psychological eating disorder that is characterized by episodes of binge-eating followed by extra efforts to avoid gaining weight. Many people that have this disorder, have a fear of gaining weight, which leads to food restrictions.

Causes of Bulimia
Some studies have shown that bulimia can be caused genetically. People that come from families were addiction is in their genes may suffer from this disorder. Another cause is if people come from families that has a preexisting eating disorder issues, than the family members are more likely to develop eating disorders of their own. This is because they have grow up around it, and seen it first hand. Some adolescents might not realized that it is actually a bad thing, they might just think it is normal. Another cause for bulimia is the environment. With media these days tell women that they need to look like the models they see in magazines and on the runways, it is no wonder that adolescents are developing eating disorders. Also in the media it is telling men that they need be thin and in shape. Most men that we see in magazines today have big muscles and are well toned. The media gives our society a unrealistic picture of what people should look like. Young adolescents see these pictures, and want to be more like them. These adolescents will go to extremes to try to be as thin as the models in the magazines. Some of these girls become bulimic in order to do this. Another cause for bulimia is control. Adolescents want to feel like they have control over something. With adults always telling them what to do, and how to behave, these children want to have power and control over something. The know that the one thing they have complete control over is their bodies. In gaining this control over their bodies, students go to extremes to have the perfect body.

Symptoms of Purging/Binge Eating

 * Going to the bathroom after a meal.
 * Smell of vomit.
 * Lack of control over eating.
 * Secrecy surrounding food.
 * Eating unusually large amounts of food.
 * Food disappearing.

Symptoms of Bulimia

 * Calluses or scars on the knuckles and hands.
 * Puffy "chipmunk" cheeks.
 * Discolored teeth.
 * Not underweight
 * Frequent fluctuations in weight.
 * Excessive exercising.
 * Tooth Decay.