Bulimia Nervosa Case Study

Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder that consists of the relatively consistent behavior of binging, eating more than you would in a typical meal, and using an inappropriate method to get rid of the extra calories consumed, such as self-induced vomiting, taking excessive amounts of laxatives or fasting. Another key symptom includes one’s self-esteem being overly impacted by body image and weight (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2012). Binging and purging episodes, accompanied by a feeling of loss of control, must occur at least once a week for 3 months, in order to be clinically diagnosed (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Once diagnosed, treatment begins, usually a combination of therapy and antidepressants. This combination seems to be successful, as most diagnosed with bulimia nervosa do recover . If one has a family history dealing with eating disorders or personally are diagnosed with a mental illness already, the risk to be diagnosed increases (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2012). Social pressure, as well as traumatic events can also contribute (Duckworth & Freedman, 2013). Although researchers are still trying to find answers on what the exact cause of this disorder is, they have recently discovered that having bulimia nervosa while pregnant is correlated with postnatal depression, miscarriage and preterm delivery (Morgan, Lacey, & Chung, 2006).

Bulimia Nervosa
Binging can be defined as eating excessive amounts of food, more than one would in a typical meal. Compensatory behavior is when one engaging in self-induced vomiting, misusing laxatives, enemas or diuretics (purging) or fasting or excessively exercising (non-purging) to rid extra calories consumed (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2012). It seems as if these two behaviors combined, a ps...

... middle of paper ...

...ormant at the time of pregnancy. The women were interviewed in order to find out what, if any, complications arose. After examination, it was concluded that “active bulimia during pregnancy is associated with postnatal depression, miscarriage and preterm delivery.” Seeing that having active bulimia nervosa during pregnancy could reduce the chance of having a healthy baby is a beneficial discovery because it can be treated (Morgan, Lacey, & Chung, 2006). In this day in age, it is just the beginning for researchers to uncover more and more about bulimia nervosa. Whether it be finding the exact cause of this disorder, new symptoms that are showing, changes in the criteria for diagnosis, hopefully a better prognosis, advances in treatment options and continued research to be as proactive as possible, the doors to bulimia nervosa are wide open and ready to be explored.