Bulimia nervosa

INTRODUCTION:

Bulimia nervosa is a serious kind of mental illness that is related to eating pattern. Yes, it seems interesting that a change in eating pattern will turn into a mental illness. In this condition, bulimia nervosa People will Bulimia nervosa is a serious mental health condition and eating disorder. Without treatment, it can be life-threatening. Bulimia nervosa, or bulimia, is an eating disorder characterised by binge eating followed by inappropriate attempts to compensate for the binge, such as self-induced vomiting or the excessive use of laxatives, diuretics, or enemas. They felt guilty if they had food because they thought they would get out of shape after eating. Since they can’t resist themselves from eating, they induce vomiting to take out what they have eaten.

CAUSES:

Doctors are unsure precisely why bulimia develops. It may stem from a combination of genetic, biological, psychological, social, and behavioral factors.
Biological factor:
Brain scans show that people with bulimia have some differences as compared to normal people. When puberty hits, there will be a sudden change in the hormone, which will cause a hindrance to the thinking pattern. Most teenagers want to look beautiful, and for this, they avoid food, or even if they do, they induce vomiting.
Genetic factor: This mental illness runs from families to families, which shows that there is a key role for genetics.

Social Factor: in some cultures, it is known as a sign of sickness if you are fat. For this reason, many females go for dieting and end up with this mental illness.

Risk factors

Everyone came across some risk factors that promised to give diseases.

1. Biological factors:
2. Feminine gender
3. Family history
4. History of prolonged dieting

1. Psychological factors:
2. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and rigid behavior
3. perfectionism
4. a body image of unhappiness, worry, and/or depression.
5. to please people while attracting others by skipping meals

1. Environmental or cultural factors: Involvement in modeling, ballet, wrestling, gymnastics, or other activities that promote thinness; taunting and bullying; a small social circle immersion in a culture that celebrates thinness.

Psychiatric comorbidities:

Our dietary choices have a significant influence on our cognitive performance. Because there is a close connection between the stomach and the brain, what we eat influences how our brain reacts. Have you ever been irritable because you didn’t receive enough food? Overeating became an impediment to thinking as well. These are some examples of how poor eating habits can have a negative impact on your overall mental health. Depression, compulsive behaviours, social anxiety, separation anxiety, and phobias such as the fear of swallowing or gaining weight are all prevalent mental health issues among Bulimia nervosa patients.

Symptoms:

• People suffering from bulimia nervosa frequently have a healthy body mass index (BMI). This can make determining whether a person has bulimia difficult. Physical signs and symptoms can be caused by nutritional shortages, chemical imbalances, and impacts on the digestive system. These might emerge gradually and include:
• Develops food rituals (e.g., consumes just one food or food group [e.g., condiments], chews excessively, does not allow foods to touch)
• Skips meals or eats only tiny portions at regular meals
• Disappearance after eating, usually to the toilet
• Any new dietary practice or fat diet, including the elimination of entire food groups (no sugar, no carbs, no dairy, vegetarianism/veganism)
• Fear of eating in front of people or in public

• Food is stolen or hoarded in unusual places. 
• Excessive consumption of water or non-caloric beverages 
• Excessive use of mouthwash, mints, and gum 
• Body is concealed by baggy clothing. 
• Due to the urge to “burn off” calories, maintains an excessive, rigid exercise program despite weather, exhaustion, illness, or injury. 
• Swelling of the cheekbones or jaw area that is unusual. 
• Brittle nails
• Dry hair and skin
• Weakness
• Fatigue
• Dental problems, due to the impact of stomach acid on the teeth
• Irregular menstruation
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Constipation and other bowel-related issues
• Acid reflux
• Kidney problems
• Muscle spasms
• Bones that fracture easily due to osteoporosis
• An electrolyte imbalance, increasing the risk of a heart attack or stroke
• Heart problems
• Severe dehydration
• Seizures
• Bulimia often involves another mental health problem, such as anxiety or depression. Without treatment, these, too, can cause complications.

Treatment:

Medical specialists are best in this case since anorexia nervosa produces emotional disease in individuals. To cure this unstable personality, numerous therapies are required. A hospital visit is recommended if your BMI is below the normal limit. It will include building a team of professionals who can help the person overcome physical, emotional, social, and psychological challenges.

Strategies include:

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which can help a person develop new patterns of thought, behaviour, and stress management.
  • counselling for families and individuals as needed
  • Nutritional therapy provides information on how to use food to promote and maintain health.
  • Anxiety and depression medication
  • dietary supplements to address inadequacies

CONCLUSION:

Bulimia nervosa (BN) is a severe psychiatric condition that often manifests during adolescence or early adulthood, making teenagers prime candidates for early intervention. A person suffering from bulimia nervosa patients consumes huge amounts of food in short periods of time and then attempts to compensate by over exercising, fasting, or purging, for example. Purging may entail vomiting or the use of laxatives or diuretics. This is an abnormal eating pattern that must be treated as soon as you explore the symptoms in someone else. Girls are mostly in this vicious cycle because they always wanted to be zero figures, and on the other hand, they can’t resist themselves from eating.