Bulimia Nervosa
Abstract.
In the field of psychology, there are several eating disorders that have caught the attention of researchers and practitioners because of their prevalence among women. One such eating disorder is bulimia nervosa.
Bulimia nervosa has several characteristics, such as negative feelings like low self-esteem and shame. Bulimia nervosa also causes psychological and medical complications that include kidney failure and skin diseases.
One important aspect of the study of eating disorders is the risk factor, which refers to a variable that is relevant, statistically, to cases of the disorder. Bulimia nervosa has several risk factors, as established by numerous community case studies. These risk factors are relevant because they indicate the common reasons for the onset of the eating disorder. Thus, they are also helpful windows to ways of preventing the condition. This paper shall shed more light on the eating disorder known as bulimia nervosa, and discuss its nature, characteristics, risk factors, and medical complications.
Introduction.
Bulimia nervosa is only one of the eating disorders that have caught the attention of researchers and experts in the field of psychology. The literature on the matter is rich in studies and researches bulimia nervosa as an eating disorder (Talleyrand, 2006). Bulimia nervosa is a source of grave concern because it has several negative effects on the physical and mental health of its victims, which include “depression, low self-esteem, suicide, obesity, infertility, and malnutrition.” Aside from the adverse consequences associated with bulimia nervosa, it also alarms laypersons and psychology experts alike because along with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa is prevalent among women in the country (Talleyrand, 2006; Schwartz & Puhl, 2003).
This prevalence of eating disorders among young women, particularly anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, is observed even in Europe (Strumia, 2002; Broussard, 2005). Demographics show that eating disorders such as bulimia nervosa affect women more than men, with about ninety percent of patients with eating disorders consisting of women. Bulimia nervosa is observed among one percent of young females (Schwartz & Puhl, 2003). Moreover, the risks associated with eating disorders are higher with respect to female adolescents, particularly those with ages ranging from fourteen to twenty years (Striegel-Moore).
Thus, the current psychological and demographical landscape dictates that this paper focusing on bulimia nervosa be written. It should describe the nature and characteristics of the psychological condition, as well discuss the ways by which it can be addressed. Current literature on the matter would be researched and analyzed, with a view towards getting a better understanding of the condition.
Nature of the Condition.
Bulimia is an eating disorder that is taken by society as a somewhat unglorified version of anorexia nervosa. It is commonly associated with negative connotations, such as shame, low self-esteem, and regret (Talleyrand, 2006). Talleyrand adopts the definition of the eating disorder that is provided by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, which provides that it is an eating disorder that is “characterized by a person’s excessive rapid binging followed by purging through use of self-induced vomiting, laxatives, diuretics, restrained eating or excessive exercise (Talleyrand, 2006).”
This description of the nature of bulimia nervosa easily manifests its differences with another prevalent eating disorder, anorexia. Anorexia consists in the negative act of excessive self-restraint. On the other hand, bulimia consists in excessive self-indulgence, with the subsequent act characterized by compensation or atonement, which lends the idea that the initial act of self-indulgence is considered a sin that deserves punishment.
Key Features.
Bulimia nervosa’s main feature is body image disturbance. It consists in a person’s predilection to be overly or excessively concerned about her body shape and weight. Such excessive concern leads to a cognitive disturbance whereby a person’s body shape and weight unduly influence her self-evaluation (Hilbert and Tuschen-Caffier, 2005).
The fact that body image disturbance is the key feature of bulimia nervosa is supported by studies showing that women with this eating disorder are more concerned with their body shape and weight when compared to women who have no such eating disorder (Hilbert and Tuschen-Caffier, 2005). This feature checks out with the observation that eating disorders such as bulimia nervosa can be traced to situations where a person grew up as an overweight or obese child, which could account for the observed body image disturbance. In addition, it is worth noting the generally accepted proposition that eating disorders like bulimia nervosa “reflect a failed adaptation to the particular developmental challenges associated with female adolescence (Schwartz & Puhl, 2003).”
Bulimia nervosa is characterized by specific regular patterns, such as inappropriate compensatory behaviors and recurrent binge eating (Broussard, 2005). Women who have bulimia nervosa feel compelled to make reparation or atonement to compensate for their previous act of eating. Examples of compensatory behavior are purging, extremely restrictive dieting, and excessive exercise (Striegel-Moore). Other compensatory behaviors also include laxative and diuretic abuse, induced vomiting, and abstinence (Strumia, 2002). This characteristic of compensatory behavior is due to the fact that women with bulimia nervosa tend to think about their body shapes and sizes in negative terms (Hilbert and Tuschen-Caffier, 2005).
Current Condition.
Eating disorders like bulimia nervosa have increased in prevalence and incidence in the current century, and such increase is attributed to the emergence of a new beauty ideal consisting of excessive emphasis on thinness and beauty as a core feature of femininity. Today’s women are expected to have great physical appearance, which is the result of increased cultural pressure and extensive campaign for many fashion, exercise, and cosmetic products (Striegel-Moore).
Risk Factors.
Studies of the etiology of eating disorders such as bulimia nervosa indicate that there are certain eating disorders that are associated with multiple risk factors and that the risks of an individual depends on the interplay of several factors relative to various processes, such as genetic, social, and psychological processes. Indeed, there are multiple systems of influence that affect an individual’s behavior (Striegel-Moore).
There are risk factors that have been found by research and studies to be associated with bulimia nervosa. A risk factor refers to “a variable that has been found to be a statistically associated with caseness status (Striegel-Moore).” The study of risk factors is important because the results are predictive of future development of eating disorders (Striegel-Moore).
Community-based case studies of risk factors for bulimia nervosa show that it is not associated with the socioeconomic status of the patient. This finding establishes another difference between anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Other risk factors for bulimia nervosa include social pressure, low self-esteem, perfectionism, weight concern, and childhood obesity (Striegel-Moore).
Studies also show that family problems such as parental discord, inadequate parenting, and parental psychopathology are also risk factors for bulimia nervosa. Moreover, eating disorders among family members also influence the onset of eating disorders in others (Striegel-Moore). Indeed, both familial predisposition and individual personality characteristics contribute to the onset of eating disorders (Strumia, 2002).
Studies also indicate that there are certain disciplines that appear to influence the onset of bulimia nervosa, such as sports. It is observed that athletes are particularly prone to developing eating disorders. More specifically, gymnasts are prone to develop eating disorders due to the belief that too much weight would have adverse effects on their scores (Strumia, 2002).
Studies have also looked into the reason why women are more susceptible to eating disorders than their male counterparts. They point to the fact that women are more likely to be affected by the current ideal of slenderness. Thus, they often feel dissatisfied with their weight, which causes them to attempt reducing their weight (Strumia, 2002).
Medical Complications.
Eating disorders like bulimia nervosa result in medical complications, particularly several human organ systems, such as the neurological system, the haematological system, the endocrine system, the brain, bones, teeth, and metabolism. In a somewhat positive light, bulimia nervosa poses less medical risks and life-threatening alterations to patients, as compared to anorexia nervosa. Nevertheless, bulimia nervosa still poses risks of diseases such as anemia, kidney failure, liver damage, and other disorders due to inadequate nutrition, frequent vomiting, and increase in salivary isoenzyme. In addition, bulimia nervosa causes skin changes, which are caused by self-induced vomiting, psychiatric illness, drug consumption, and starvation or malnutrition (Strumia, 2002).
One interesting skin disorder that is a shared characteristic of bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa is Russell’s sign. It manifests in small lacerations and abrasions that can be seen on the dorsum of the hand. Such lacerations and abrasions are caused by the frequent contact between the skin and incisors, which occurs when the patients self-induce vomiting (Strumia, 2002). It is for this reason that Russell’s sign also helps in the diagnosis of eating disorders in their early stages, which could also help influence the prognosis of the disorders.
Conclusion.
In sum, bulimia nervosa has many characteristics, which are results of its risk factors such as social pressure, low self-esteem, and family discord. Bulimia nervosa differs in several and relevant respects to another popular eating disorder, anorexia nervosa, but they both lead to serious and adverse psychological and medical consequences.
References
Broussard, B. B. (2005). Women’s experiences of bulimia nervosa. Journal of Advanced Nursing 49(1), 43-50.
Hilbert, A. & Tuschen-Caffier, B. (2005). Body-Related Cognitions in Binge-Eating Disorder and Bulimia Nervosa. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology 24(4), 561-579.
Schwartz, M. B. & Puhl, R. (2003). Childhood obesity: a societal problem to solve. The International Association for the Study of Obesity. Obesity Reviews 4, 57-71.
Striegel-Moore, R. H. Risk Factors for Eating Disorders. Wesleyan University. 98-109.
Strumia, R. (2002). Bulimia and anorexia nervosa: cutaneous manifestations. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 1, 30-34.
Talleyrand, R. M. (2006). Potential Stressors Contributing to Eating Disorder Symptoms in African American Women: Implications for Mental Health Counselors. Journal of Mental Health Counseling 28(4), 338-352.