For the Public to Understand the Mind of an Eating Disorder

BULIMIA NERVOSA

Tori Hansen

DEFINING EATING DISORDERS

An eating disorder is an unhealthy relationship with food and weight that with many areas of a person’s life. One’s thoughts become preoccupied with food, weight or exercise.”

- National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders

WHO CAN HAVE EATING DISORDERS?

Anyone!

Most common in adolescent and young adult females

Effects 1 in 10 men

Common in athletes (gymnast, wrestlers,

swimmers, cheerleaders, etc.)

“Eating Disorders affect up to 24 million Americans and

70 million individuals worldwide.”

-The Renfrew Center Foundation for Eating Disorders

TYPES OF EATING DISORDERS

Binge Eating disorder

Anorexia Nervosa

Bulimia Nervosa

Eating disorders are related to other psychological disorders such as anxiety, depression, addictive disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

WHAT IS BULIMIA NERVOSA?

• will experience frequent episodes of “binge-eating,” or episodes where they consume a large amount of food.

• These episodes are followed by an act to compensate the binge by purging, fasting, or excess exercise.

A person with bulimia nervosa…

THE CYCLE OF BULIMIA NERVOSA

The desire to be thin Diet restriction

Hunger/ deprivation of nutrients

Binge episodePurging

Feeling of guilt and shame

The desire to be thin

“I’m afraid I will get fat” “I need to

be skinny to be on

the team”

“I need to be skinny in order for people to

like me”

“I’ll be happier if

I am skinny”

“I need to be thin like that

person”

People who suffer from Bulimia Nervosa have the desire to be thin. They may be underweight, overweight, or of average weight, but they feel social and cultural pressures to be thin. They become afraid of gaining weight.

Diet Restriction

“I’m not hungry”

“If I eat that, I will get fat”

“That’s too many calories”I don’t need to eat anything”

Because they feel pressure to be thin, people with bulimia nervosa will restrict their diet in order to feel as though they have control of their weight.

Binge Episode

“I haven’t eaten all day, so I can

eat this”

“This is the only time I've eaten

today, which will keep me

thin”

“I’m thin enough, I’ll worry about being fat

later”

Restriction in diet will leave the body undernourished, effecting the body physically. At this point, the person suffering from bulimia will consume a large amount of food in a short period of time.

Guilt and Shame“I feel disgusting”

“I’m fat”

“I don’t want anyone to see me like this”

“I should not have eaten all of that”

“I’m never eating

anything ever again”

I’m ugly”

After a binge episode, the person will feel out of control and become physically and emotionally stressed. Guilt, shame and fear will consume the person, and their desire to be thin will once again become overwhelming.

Purging

“I need to go to workout because I just ate so much”

“I can’t eat anything tomorrow because I ate this”“I can get rid

of everything I just ate”

The person feels overwhelmed and feels the need to undo their binging behavior. The will excessively exercise, vomit, take laxatives, or starve themselves in order to gain back control.

PHYSICAL EFFECTS ON THE BODY

Tooth decay

Irregular bowel movementsUlcers

Electrolyte imbalance

Inflammation / burning of

esophagus

Loss of menstrual cycle

in woman

Infertility

Decreased immune systemHeart failure

PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS

Headaches

Muscle weakness

Fatigue

Irritability

Hair loss

Dehydration

Heartburn

Bloating

Dry skin

Changes in sleep

EMOTIONAL EFFECTS OF BULIMIA NERVOSA

Low self-esteem

Anxiety

Depression

Self-abusive behavior

Social isolation

SIGNS A PERSON IS SUFFERING FROM BULIMIA NERVOSA

The Person...Is preoccupied about their body weight

Has a distorted and excessively negative body image

Shows signs of binging and purging

Shows changes in mood

TREATMENT

Seek Help!

You’re not alone!

Contact a doctor

See a recommended therapist

Talk to friends and family

Find online support groups. You can visit

http://www.anad.org/ for help and support.

HOLISTIC APPROACH TO TREATMENT

• Bulimia nervosa is an emotional disorder that often co-exist with anxiety, depression, addictive disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. In order to treat bulimia nervosa, it is important to find the root of the problem. A person should…

Reduce stress levels

Identify emotional triggers which may have other underlying causes that have

not been properly addressed

Find healthy ways to respond to stress, fear, anger, sadness or shame

Develop self confidence

WHY EATING DISORDERS ARE A PROBLEM“A Study conducted by Cornell University found that 40% of male football players surveyed engaged in some sort of disordered eating behavior. -Newsweek, 1994

“It is estimated that currently 11% of high school students have been diagnosed with an eating disorder.” -ANAD.org

“1 in 5 women struggle with

an eating disorder.”

-NIMH

“The average woman is 5”4’ and weighs 140 pounds. The average model is 5”11’ and weighs 117pounds. Most fashion models are thinner than 98% of American women.”

-National Eating Disorder Association

“42% of 1st-3rd grade girls want to be thinner”

- International Journal of Eating Disorders

PREVENTION

Early Recognition

90 % of those who have eating disorders are women between the ages of 12 and 25.

-Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

It is important to be aware of disturbed eating patterns and habits, especially in young adults. The younger a person is who experiences an eating disorder will have a harder time dealing with and recovering from emotional issues associated with the disorder.

WHAT WE CAN DOBe role models

The media plays a large role in the body image of young adults in America.

A shirt for sale at the popular clothing store, Urban outfitters

Sophia Bush, a popular actress, saw the shirt and needed to address it.