EATING DISORDERS

Bulimia Nervosa

Signs & Symptoms

An individual suffering from Bulimia Nervosa may reveal several signs and symptoms, many which are the direct result of self-induced vomiting or other forms of purging, especially if the binge/purge cycle is repeated several times a week and/or day.

Physical signs and symptoms of this eating disorder are:
Constant weight fluctuations
Electrolyte imbalances, which can result in cardiac arrhythmia, cardiac arrest, or ultimately death
Broken blood vessels within the eyes
Enlarged glands in the neck and under the jaw line
Lacerations in the lining of the mouth or throat from repetitive vomiting
Chronic dehydration
Inflammation of the esophagus
Chronic gastric reflux after eating or peptic ulcers
Infertility
Disappearance of large amounts of food
Eating in secrecy
Lack of control when eating
Switching between periods of overeating and fasting
Frequent use of the bathroom after meals

Bulimia Nervosa can also create problematic strains between the sufferer and family and friends, particularly as the individual has abnormal eating behaviors and/or the avoidance of social activities to engage in binge/purge episodes.

Requirements to Participate in Bulimia Nervosa Counseling:

You are ready to receive help and to participate in care
You are medically stable
You are not a danger to self or others

Binge Eating Disorder

What is it?

Binge eating disorder is a type of eating disorder. Eating disorders are mental health problems that cause extreme and dangerous eating behaviors. These extreme eating behaviors cause other serious health problems and sometimes death. Some eating disorders also involve extreme exercise.

According to the American Psychiatric Association, women with binge eating disorder feel out of control and eat too much (binge), at least once a week for at least three months. During binges women with binge eating disorder usually eat faster than normal, eat until they are uncomfortable, eat when they are not physically hungry, and feel embarrassed, disgusted, or depressed because of the binges. Women with this type of eating disorder may be overweight or obese.

Unlike people with anorexia or bulimia, people with binge eating disorder do not throw up their food, exercise a lot, or starve themselves. People with binge eating disorder are often overweight or obese. But not all people with binge eating disorder are overweight and being overweight does not always mean you have binge eating disorder.

Binge eating disorder affects women of all races and ethnicities. It is the most common eating disorder among Hispanic, Asian-American, and African American women.

Symptoms

It can be difficult to tell whether someone has binge eating disorder. Many women with binge eating disorder hide their behavior because they are embarrassed. You may have binge eating disorder if, for at least once a week over the past three months, you have binged. Symptoms include:

Eating faster than normal
Eating until uncomfortably full
Eating large amounts of food when not hungry
Eating alone because of embarrassment
Feeling disgusted, depressed, or guilty afterward
Other mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, or substance abuse.

Requirements to Participate in Binge Eating Counseling:

You are ready to receive help and to participate in care
You are medically stable
You are not a danger to self or others

EATING DISORDERS

Bulimia Nervosa

Signs & Symptoms

An individual suffering from Bulimia Nervosa may reveal several signs and symptoms, many which are the direct result of self-induced vomiting or other forms of purging, especially if the binge/purge cycle is repeated several times a week and/or day.

Physical signs and symptoms of this eating disorder are:

Constant weight fluctuations

Electrolyte imbalances, which can result in cardiac arrhythmia, cardiac arrest, or ultimately death

Broken blood vessels within the eyes

Enlarged glands in the neck and under the jaw line

Lacerations in the lining of the mouth or throat from repetitive vomiting

Chronic dehydration

Inflammation of the esophagus

Chronic gastric reflux after eating or peptic ulcers

Infertility

Disappearance of large amounts of food

Eating in secrecy

Lack of control when eating

Switching between periods of overeating and fasting

Frequent use of the bathroom after meals

Bulimia Nervosa can also create problematic strains between the sufferer and family and friends, particularly as the individual has abnormal eating behaviors and/or the avoidance of social activities to engage in binge/purge episodes.

Requirements to Participate in Bulimia Nervosa Counseling:

You are ready to receive help and to participate in care

You are medically stable

You are not a danger to self or others

Binge Eating Disorder

What is it?

Binge eating disorder is a type of eating disorder. Eating disorders are mental health problems that cause extreme and dangerous eating behaviors. These extreme eating behaviors cause other serious health problems and sometimes death. Some eating disorders also involve extreme exercise.

Binge eating disorder affects women of all races and ethnicities. It is the most common eating disorder among Hispanic, Asian-American, and African American women.

Symptoms

It can be difficult to tell whether someone has binge eating disorder. Many women with binge eating disorder hide their behavior because they are embarrassed. You may have binge eating disorder if, for at least once a week over the past three months, you have binged. Symptoms include:

Eating faster than normal

Eating until uncomfortably full

Eating large amounts of food when not hungry

Eating alone because of embarrassment

Feeling disgusted, depressed, or guilty afterward

Other mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, or substance abuse.

Requirements to Participate in Binge Eating Counseling:

You are ready to receive help and to participate in care

You are medically stable

You are not a danger to self or others