Bulimic individuals routinely engage in compulsive and secretive binge-purge cycles. They "binge", consuming large amounts of food in a very short period of time, and immediately "purge" (such as by self-inducing vomiting, taking enemas, exercising excessively, abusing laxatives or diet pills) to compensate for the binge eating.
If left untreated, bulimia nervosa can lead to serious and even life-threatening problems, such as depression, anxiety disorders, heart damage, kidney damage, injury to all parts of the digestive system, and severe dental damage.
Classic Symptoms of Bulimia Nervosa:
- Regular intake of large amounts of food accompanied by a sense of loss of control over eating behavior.
- Regular use of inappropriate compensatory behaviors such as self-induced vomiting, laxative or diuretic abuse, fasting, and/or obsessive or compulsive exercise.
- Extreme concern with body weight and shape.
