Bulimia Nervosa.

Bulimia nervosa is believed to be on of the most common eating disorders, though there is little data to support this. It's characterized by recurrent binge eating, followed by compensatory behaviors. The most common form is defensive vomiting (sometimes called purging)Fasting, the use of laxatives, enemas, diuretics and over exercising are also common.

The disorder is most common between the ages of 13 and 20 years, though many adults later on experience relapses with episodic binging and purging, even though they've been through a successful treatment and remission. Often, the person suffering from bulimia have previously suffered from obesity.

It's hard to detect bulimia because most who suffers from the disorder tend to be either average och slightly above or below average weight.

The diagnostic criteria includes repetitive episodes of binge eating compensated for by excessive or inappropriate measures taken to avoid gaining weight. The diagnosis is made only when the behavior is not a part of the symptom complex of anorexia and when the behavior reflects an overemphasis on physical mass or appearance.

Bulimia is divided into two sub-types:

• The purging type
  Self-induced vomiting to rapidly remove food from the body before it can be digested, or use laxatives, diuretics or enemas.
• The non-purging type
  Exercise or fast excessively after a binge to offset the caloric intake after eating. Purgin-type bulimics may also exercise or fast, but as a secondary form of weight control.

The consequences

Gastric reflux, dehydration and hypokalemia, electrolyte imbalance, cardiac arrhythmia, cardiac arrest, death, esophagitis, oral trauma (lacerations), gastroparesis, constipation, infertility, enlarged glands in the neck, peptic ulcers, calluses or scars on back of hands, constant weight fluctuations, severe dental caries, perimolysis, swollen salivary glands.

The causes

There is no know cause to this or any other eating disorder, but there are though theories.

Some researchers have hypothesized a relationship to mood disorders. There have also been seen a relationship to seizure disorders. Bulimia have also been characterized as an addiction disorder.

Treatment

• Tricyclic antidepressants
  Such as MAO inhibitors, mianserin, fluoxetine, lithium carbonate, nomifensine, trazodone and bupropion.
  
  
• Topiramate
  Blocks cravings for opiates, cocaine, alcohol and food.
  
  
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
  Teaching clients to challenge automatic thoughts and engage in behavioral experiments.

• Family Based Treatment (FBT)
  Has been shown to have positive results for the treatment of bulimia nervosa.

Some researchers have also claimed positive outcomes in hypnotherapy treatment