Bulimia or binge eating means eating large amounts of food in short periods of time. After bingeing, the bulimic makes herself vomit, and fasts after bingeing. The bulimic averages about two binges per week for at least three months. The bulimic ends the binges by sleeping, being with people, or throwing up. The person may chew food, but then spit it out without swallowing, or they may swallow the food quickly, with little chewing. The bulimic is near normal weight, or it may be slightly above average. The weight usually changes due to bingeing and dieting. The bulimic encounters secretive eating, and heavy exercising.
Some signs that appear is dental cavities, and a loss of tooth enamel. There can be broken blood vessels in face, and bags under the eyes. Tremors and blurred visions follow episodes of vomiting, also stomach aches occur. Usually a soar throat, fatigue and muscle ache occurs. Unlike the anorexic, the bulimic is aware of the eating habits are not normal and fear of not being able to stop. For the bulimic, food is only a comfort, release, relaxation, and escape from normally controlled life. The guilt comes later.
Researchers report that the families of bulimia patients have a higher than usual incidence of alcoholism, obesity, and depression. Bulimic as well as anorexic patients often come from middle and upper class families that are competitve, high achieving, and protective. They set high standards, fret about falling short of expectations, and are intensly concerned on how peole perceive them.
