Bio Essay, Research Paper

Many people in America try to do something very dangerous, they try to obtain

the impossible thin image that s in every magazine, in every store, all around

them in society. Bulimia was first introduced as far back as the Ancient Greek,

who in order to eat enormous amounts of food at their orgies, they would vomit

as they ate, to make more room for food. Now at the present time, bulimia has

taken on a new purpose. Due to a bad perceived image, many people turn to

bulimia because they can eat large amounts of food without gaining any weight.

Many people compare themselves to the models in magazines, they are trying to

achieve the impossible.

What is Bulimia Nervosa? Many specialist classify it as an illness, eating

disorder, etc. One scientist describes it as: Bulimia Nervosa is characterized

by binge-eating and inappropriate methods of weight control accompanied by

excessive shape and weight concerns. A binge is defined as an episode in

which one eats a much larger amount of food that most people would in a similar

situation and experiences a sense of loss of control. Another scientist defines it

as: Bulimia is an eating disorder in which a person regularly binge eats, then

tries to prevent weight gain by self-induced vomiting, water pills, laxatives,

fasting, or extreme exercising. Maybe it s alternative names stem from it s

definition, because it is also known as binge-purge behavior and characterized

as a eating disorder. But it s alternative name, binge-purge behavior, can be

misleading. There is actually two types of bulimia, the purging and non-purging

types. Individuals with the purging bulimia nervosa self-induce vomiting or

abuse laxatives, diuretics or enemas to counteract the effects of binge-eating;

Individuals with non-purging type use other inappropriate compensatory

behaviors, such as fasting or excessive exercise, but has not regularly engaged

in self-induced vomiting or the misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or enemas.

Because they eat regularly and do not appear emaciated, it is hard to tell if

someone is a bulimic, but there are symptoms.

Symptoms of Bulimia include frequent binge eating (eating large amounts

of food in a short period of time); feeling a lack of control over eating; regular

self-induced vomiting; using laxatives or water pills; strict dieting, fasting or

vigorous exercise to prevent weight gain; judging oneself mainly by body shape

and weight; and overachieving behavior. Other symptoms may include cutting

down strictly on food or liquids; Ipecac or enema abuse (also called purging);

loss of appetite; and weight gain or loss of 10 pounds or more. Also a unhealthy

obsession with body image, a strong need for other peoples approval, feelings

of ineffectiveness, lack of self-esteem, unrealistically high expectations,

perfectionism can be a sign of bulimia or another eating disorder. It may be hard

to help that person when all the symptoms are available, when the cause is not

known or obvious.

Most people with eating disorders share certain personality traits: low self

esteem, feelings of helplessness, and a fear of becoming fat. In anorexia,

bulimia, and binge eating disorder, eating behaviors seem to develop as a way

of handling stress and anxieties. Consuming huge amounts of food reduces

stress and relieves anxiety, but also brings guilt and depression. Purging can

bring relief, but it is only temporary. Individuals with bulimia are also impulsive

and more likely to engage in risky behavior such as abuse of alcohol and drugs.

The exact cause of the disorder is unknown, but a variety of psychological,

social, cultural, familial and bio chemical theories are being investigated.

Factors thought to contribute to its development are family problems,

maladaptive behavior, self-identity conflict, and cultural overemphasis on

physical appearance. Bulimia may be associated with depression. The disorder

is usually not associated with any underlying physical problem although the

behavior may be associated with neurological or endocrine diseases. The

disorder occurs most often in females of adolescent or young adult age. The

incidence is 2 in 10,000 people. Bulimic people, in general, are usually aware

that their eating pattern is abnormal and experience fear or guilt associated with

the binge-purge episodes. The behavior is usually secretive, although clues to

this disorder include overactivity, peculiar eating habits, eating rituals, and

frequent weighing. Body weight is usually normal or low, although the person

may perceive themselves as overweight. Bulimia is not as dangerous to health

as anorexia, but it has many unpleasant physical effects, including fatigue,

weakness, constipation, fluid retention, swollen salivary (partoid) glands, erosion

of dental enamel, sore throat from vomiting, scars on the hand from inducing

vomiting, salt and fluid imbalance, menstrual problems(absence or loss of), hair

loss, overuse of laxatives can cause stomach upset and other digestive

problems, loss of potassium, and tearing of the esophagus. Even thought these

causes can be targeted, how can bulimia be stopped?

Eating disorders are most successfully treated when diagnosed early.

Unfortunately, even when family members confront the ill person about his or her

behavior, or physicians make a diagnosis, individuals with eating disorders may

deny that they have a problem. Thus, people with bulimia are often normal

weight and are able to hide their illness from others for years. Eating disorders

in males may be overlooked because bulimia is relatively rare in boys and men.

Consequently, getting-and keeping-people with these disorders into treatment

can be extremely difficult. In any case, it cannot be overemphasized how

important treatment is-the sooner, the better. The longer abnormal eating

behaviors persist, the more difficult it is to overcome the disorder and its effects

on the body. In some cases, long-term treatment may be required. Families and

friends offering support and encouragement can play an important role in the

success of the treatment program. If an eating disorder is suspected,

particularly if it involves weight loss, the first step is a complete physical

examination to rule out any other illnesses. Once an eating disorder is

diagnosed, the clinician must determine whether the patient is in immediate

medical danger and requires hospitalization. While most patients can be treated

as outpatients, some need hospital care. Conditions warranting hospitalization

include excessive and rapid weight loss, serious metabolic disturbances, clinical

depression or risk of suicide, severe binge eating and purging, or psychosis. To

help those with eating disorders deal with their illness and underlying emotional

issues, some form of psychotherapy is usually needed. A psychiatrist,

psychologist, or other mental health professional meets with the patient

individually and provides ongoing emotional support, while the patient begins to

understand and cope with the illness. Group therapy, in which people share

their experiences with others who have similar problems, has been especially

effective for individuals with bulimia. Bulimia is curable, with hospitalization or

therapy bulimic people can get to know and cope with their illness or eating

disorder.

Due to a bad perceived body image, many people turn to bulimia,

because they can eat large amounts of food without gaining any weight. But

bulimia stems from not just weight lost but emotional instability, but bulimia is not

permanent, with help it can be cured.