The Cycle....

“I didn’t like myself, I was ashamed because I couldn’t cope with the pressures. I had bulimia for a number of years, and that’s like a secret disease…It’s a repetitive pattern which is very destructive to yourself.”

Instances are few and far between of public figures discussing their eating disorders in years past. One instance of this that left an indelible impact came from a woman who has become known for her resilience in the face of private turmoil – Princess Diana “The People’s Princess”.

Bulimia is a serious eating disorder, but it does not get the same media coverage or understanding as Anorexia. Those who have bulimia are characterized by a cycle of binging on food and then purging through vomiting or the use of laxatives.

Some bulimics also take stimulants or diuretics and they may exercise excessively. The bulimic individual, though, generally knows that his or her disordered eating patterns are not normal. 

Bulimia nervosa usually referred to as bulimia, is an extreme, potentially life-threatening

consuming ailment. People with bulimia may additionally secretly binge — ingesting massive

quantities of food with a lack of manipulation over the consumption — and then purge, trying to

get rid of the extra calories in an unhealthy way.

People with bulimia have a fear of gaining weight; however, that does not mean all people with bulimia are underweight. Some people with bulimia are overweight or obese and may attempt to use purging to manage their weight or to prevent additional weight gain. Bulimia nervosa is a serious mental illness that requires intensive treatment.

After knowing what this disorder of eating is, it is a necessity to comprehend its root. The exact cause of bulimia is unknown. Many factors could play a role in the development of eating disorders, including genetics, biology, emotional health, societal expectations, and other issues.

Hey did you know according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, your heart is not built to withstand laxative use or daily vomiting. For women, bulimia sometimes causes fertility issues. Inflammation of the esophagus is also typical. Bulimia may cause gastroparesis - a partial paralyzation of your stomach muscles.

Let it be the Princess or a commoner it is important to identify the disorder by knowing the basic symptoms cause not everyone comes out by themselves to talk about it... especially not when they fear being termed as unstable. People with bulimia often eat by themselves and hide evidence of their binges. Using laxatives,

diuretics, or enemas after eating when they're not needed, fasting, restricting calories, or avoiding certain foods between binges. These are few symptoms other than the psychological fear of gaining weight.

When you have bulimia, you may need several types of treatment, although combining psychotherapy with antidepressants may be the most effective for overcoming the disorder. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy or psychological counseling, involves discussing your bulimia and related issues with a mental health professional. Antidepressants may help reduce the symptoms of bulimia when used along with psychotherapy.

The only antidepressant specifically approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat bulimia is fluoxetine (Prozac), a type of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). For severe cases, inpatient treatment is needed to effectively address the behaviors associated with bulimia.

Now... this is becoming a bit too much of the medical terminology... Let's know about its occurrence...?

The overall prevalence of bulimia nervosa was 0.3%. Prevalence of bulimia nervosa was five

times higher among females (0.5%) than males (0.1%). Some studies indicate that men may be underrepresented as bulimics, and they may actually be many more of them than first thought. It's just that they are better at hiding the pain...