Bulimia Nervosa, II
There are quite a few “visible” signs & symptoms of bulimia nervosa that one needs to be aware of. (In a few posts, I will write about how you should go about talking to someone you suspect of having disordered eating.)
A bulimic person may …
… exhibit secrecy surrounding eating and the time period after eating, to allow for bingeing and then purging.
… make frequent trips to the bathroom after meals, signs and/or smells of vomiting, evidence of laxatives or diuretics.
… go to the kitchen after everyone else has gone to bed to binge.
… go for unexpected walks or drives at night.
… have an excessive desire for privacy in the bedroom or bathroom.
… have odd eating behaviors, such as avoidance of eating with others.
… have unpredictable and sudden dietary likes and dislikes.
… skip meals.
… take very small portions when eating with others.
… may consume a lot of water or diet soda (to make vomiting easier).
… may cut food into very small bites.
… chew food excessively.
… may separate different types of food on the plate.
… may create strange pairings of foods.
… may eat unusually large amounts of food, with no apparent change in weight.
… those near the bulimic may notice the disappearance of large amounts of food, or numerous empty wrappers or containers in the garbage.
… there may be an excessive, rigid exercise regimen.
… a complex lifestyle schedules or rituals to make time for binge-and-purge sessions.
… typical behaviors may include using mints or gum to cover up the smell of vomit, running water in the bathroom to conceal the sound of vomiting, or always going to the bathroom after meals.
… a bulimic may have a poor body image.
… a preoccupation with body weight, weight loss, dieting, and control of food.
… one may notice the sufferer wears baggy clothes to hide the body and avoids looking in mirrors.
… there may be discolored or callused finger joints or backs of the hands (Jamming the fingers down the throat to induce vomiting may damage the outer surfaces of the hands).
… there could be tooth and mouth problems, such as discolored and decalcified teeth, and sensitive, swollen, and bleeding cheeks and gums. (These are caused by vitamin deficiencies and by the stomach acid that comes up with vomit.)
… a bulimic patient may have intense stomach pain and intestinal irregularities, such as constipation and diarrhea.
… like anorexia nervosa, a female bulimic may live with irregular or nonexistent menstrual periods.
Bulimia causes serious physical and emotional effects. Some of the major effects of bulimia include:
* an imbalance in electrolytes;
* inflammation of the esophagus, salivary glands, and jaw;
* problems with teeth, gums, and lips;
* chronic irregular bowel movements due to abusive laxatives;
* feelings of shame and guilt;
* depression;
* low self-esteem; and
* damaged family and social relationships.
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