How to Identify Symptoms of Bulimia

Bulimia is an eating disorder. The term defines a person who overeats, or binges, then takes steps to purge, or get rid of what was just eaten through regurgitation or vomiting. While most cases of bulimia are caused by emotional stress, the condition affects the brain and central nervous system, the liver, the kidneys, the gastrointestinal tract and the endocrine system. Many individuals believe that the condition affects only the stomach, but potential problems resulting from bulimia are the imbalance of the fluid/electrolyte balance of entire body systems and functions, potential dental disease, ulcers or inflammation of the stomach, esophagus and mouth as well as malnutrition. The condition affects more women than men, with symptoms usually developing in the late teenage years. Learning how to recognize and identify symptoms of bulimia may help encourage prompt treatment and reduce the risks of complications that threaten overall health and growth and development.

Instructions

• 1

  Watch your teens or friends for signs of episodic binge eating, especially if your teen is not gaining weight. Often, a person suffering from bulimia will disappear shortly after a meal in order to purge in a private setting. Pay attention to signs of emotional distress or guilt following such incidents.

• 2

  Look for evidence of laxatives in your home. Many teens purge through the help of laxative abuse. They also purge by sticking their fingers or other objects down their throat. Look for the presence of spoons or other objects that don't belong in a bathroom for signs of this. At other times, bulimics may hide their purging, and vomit into plastic bags that are immediately disposed of, or go outside to purge. Look for signs of evidence of any such behavior in and around your home.

• 3

  Watch for signs of rapid weight loss in your teen or friend. Losing more than two or three pounds a week may be considered excessive and unhealthy. Also observe dieting rituals such as severely restricted calorie intake or use of diuretics or laxatives for those wishing to lose weight.

• 4

  Pay attention to signs of depression or self-loathing in your teen or friend. Many bulimics are painfully aware that their behavior is abnormal, but just can't seem to find the willpower to overcome such behavior.

• 5

  Look in your teen's room for signs of high-calorie, high-sugar snacks that may be stockpiled in hiding places for "after-hour" binges. Such snacks will typically be convenience foods or fast foods.