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Bulimia also called bulimia nervosa. Bulimia is a very dangerous weight-loss strategy. Anorexia nervosa is one type of eating disorder. It is also a psychological disorder. Bulimia is characterized by episodes of secretive excessive eating (bingeing) followed by inappropriate methods of weight control, such as self-induced vomiting (purging), abuse of laxatives & diuretics, or excessive exercise. Anorexia is a condition that goes beyond out-of-control dieting. A person with anorexia initially begins dieting to lose weight. Over time, the weight-loss becomes a sign of mastery & control. Bulimia is estimated to affect between 3% of all women in the U.S. at some point in their lifetime. About 6% of teen girls & five percent of college-aged females are believed to suffer from bulimia.

Most bulimics know that their eating patterns are not normal, but they feel unable to change their behavior. Approximately ten percent of identified bulimic patients are men. Bulimics are also susceptible to other compulsions, affective disorders, or addictions. Some people use food as a way to cope with emotional ups & downs or low self esteem. People with bulimia can look perfectly normal. Most of them are of normal weight, & some may be overweight. Women with bulimia tend to be high achievers. Many experts consider people for whom thinness is especially desirable, or a professional requirement (such as athletes, models, dancers, & actors) to be at risk for eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa. Vomiting is a common source of problems. When a person vomits, he or she brings up partially digested food & stomach acid.

People with anorexia nervosa see themselves as over-weight even though they are dangerously thin. Bingers eat when they are not hungry. They eat quickly. Binge eaters eat when they feel anxious, lonely and/or depressed. Anorexia eating disorders symptoms include thinning hair, dry, flaky skin & cracked or broken nails. Women with anorexia eating disorders symptoms often stop menstruating. Another sign of anorexia eating disorder symptoms is the tendency to exercise obsessively - well beyond what’s needed to maintain good health. Individuals with anorexia eating disorder also weigh themselves frequently. They often restrict not only food, also relationships, social activities & pleasure.

Causes of Compulsive Eating Disorder

1.Neurological or medical conditions.

2.Rigors of dieting.

3.Biological & genetic factors.( neurotransmitter serotonin ).

4.Poor body image.

5.Psychological factors (depression & anxiety ).

Symptoms of Compulsive Eating Disorder

1.Weakness

2.Vomiting blood

3.Fatigue.

4.Exhaustion

5.Heart burn.

Treatment of Compulsive Eating Disorder

Different kinds of psychological therapy have been employed to treat people with anorexia. Cognitive behavior therapy, group therapy, & family therapy have all been successful in treatment of anorexia. Bulimia can sometimes be treated with a self-help manual with occasional guidance from a therapist. Antidepressant medications (citalopram,escitalopram oxalate ,fluvoxamine maleate (Luvox) ,paroxetine (Paxil, Seroxat, Aropax), fluoxetine (Prozac) & sertraline )have been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of bulimia. Marital therapy, or couples therapy, helps to strengthen the relationship between life partners & helps to resolve communication problems. Support groups are led by trained volunteers or health professionals. To decide if a self-help support group will be effective in your binge eating treatment plan.

Juliet Cohen writes articles for medical diseases. She also writes articles for depression treatment & cancer treatment.