Bulimia Nervosa

            Over two million adolescent girls and young women in the United States suffer from eating disorders. Anorexia nervosa, an eating disorder which involves little or no eating, and bulimia nervosa, a widespread eating disorder caused by bingeing and purging, are both classified as psychiatric illnesses due to the connection between the disease and depression, superficial desires, and extreme weight concern. Adolescent girls and young women are most vulnerable to the bulimia nervosa. Although, bulimia nervosa does not possess a high risk of death in comparison to anorexia nervosa, it has reached epidemic proportions among adolescents, who are unaware of the severe damage occurring in their bodies.
             Symptoms of bulimia nervosa include: uncontrollable bingeing, followed by vomiting, dieting, and purging, in some instances laxatives are also used, extreme weight concern, frequent usage of bathroom after servings of food, depression, inordinate menstrual periods, excessive heartburn, and the beginning of dental complications including decay of tooth enamel, and receding gums. Warning signs include: denial of hunger, avoidance of social eating situations, abrasions on the back of the hand (from inducing vomiting), swollen salivary glands, hidden stashes of food particularly high calorie foods such as candy, chips, etc., intake of potassium pills, bloodshot eyes, and secretive eating. Bulimics, when diagnosed, tend to be in denial, therefore making the identification process harder. This setback may cause the individual's treatment to be hindered and be likely less effective. .
             Bulimia, as well as the other eating disorders, occur globally, but are most prevalent in industrialized western nations where food is abundant. However, strong cultural influence, as found in the United States, pushes towards the development of eating disorders. Males account for only 5 to 10 percent of all bulimics.