Bulimia Nervosa is an eating disorder that involves binge eating, or eating large amounts of food in short periods of time, and then followed by forced vomiting, or purging. Something very often confused about this disease is that the people being affected by it are doing it by choice and can stop whenever they please; that is false. Bulimia is a psychological condition. It is a mental illness. It is an addiction.

Bulimia does not have a cause with direct correlation. There are many things that people believe trigger people to turn to this lifestyle, such as genetics, family behaviors, social values, perfectionism, abuse or any other "life changing" events. When one is overly-concerned about their weight they will sometimes begin to purge because it makes them feel as if they are losing weight, although, they are not. Even people without body image insecurities will turn to bulimia as a way to cope with other situations they are battling internally or even externally.

There are many different symptoms of bulimia nervosa, a lot of which are hard to point out, such as:

• Repeated binge eating
• Eating larger amounts of food than normal in under 2 hours or less
• Forcing oneself to vomit
• Excessive exercising (exceeding a healthy amount)
• Constantly fearful of gaining weight; it is always playing on one’s mind
• Feeling like how much they eat is out their control
• Uncomfortable eating around others
• Always talking about dieting, body shape and losing weight
• Inability to stop eating or eating to make one feel better when they are sad
• Secretive eating
• Alternates between overeating and fasting

The bulimia addiction can start with something as simple as being embarrassed of or being angry at yourself for what you just ate, but it is more than that. One's mind will start to believe that they are losing weight because they are throwing up the food they just ate, but it does not help lose weight whatsoever. It is very hard to spot someone in a crowd who is suffering from bulimia; they often will look average weight, or even sometimes overweight.

Bulimia Nervosa harms your body. It does not help. Someone who is suffering from this disease will constantly be worrying about little things such as how much they just ate, when will they get the chance to get rid of it, how will they stay thin, etc. A bulimic individual will most likely need intensive therapy to be able to stop doing it/move on from it.

Bulimia Nervosa has a domino effect on your body. It effects all of the following:

• Blood- anemia occurs when the level of red blood cells in one’s body is lower than normal
• Heart- irregular heartbeat, weakened heart muscle, heart failure,and low pulse/blood pressure
• Body Fluids- dehydration and lower potassium, magnesium, and sodium
• Intestines- constipation, irregular bowel movements, bloating, diarrhea, and abdominal cramping
• Brain- depression, anxiety, dizziness, shame and a low self-esteem
• Cheeks- swelling and soreness
• Mouth- cavities, tooth enamel erosion, gum disease and teeth are sensitive to cold/hot foods
• Throat and Esophagus- sore, irritated, can tear/rupture, and blood in vomit
• Muscles- fatigue
• Stomach- ulcers, pain, can rupture, and delayed emptying
• Skin- abrasion of knuckles and dry skin
• Hormones (in females)- irregular or absent period

1-2 percent of adolescents and young adult women are bulimic. Bulimia is sometimes seen in males, but 80% of the bulimia population or females.

If you or someone you know has fallen victim to Bulimia Nervous, don't be afraid to call the National Eating Disorder's hotline at 1-800-931-2237.