 Diagnostic Criteria of BN
- Eating an unusual large amount of food in a discrete period of time (e.g. within 2 hours) and feeling of loss of control
- Recurrent compensatory behaviors after binging to prevent weight gain such as vomiting, using laxatives and diuretics, dieting/ fasting and doing excessive exercises.
- Recurrent episodes of binge eating and compensatory behaviors for three months or more that lead to impaired social functioning
- Body shape and weight become excessively important for self evaluation
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Subtype of BN
Purging Type
- Using laxatives, diuretics and self-induced vomiting as compensatory behaviors
Non-Purging Type
- Dieting and doing excessive exercises as compensatory behaviors.
Signs and Symptoms of Bulimia Nervosa
Physical
- Frequent weight fluctuations
- Irregular menstruation
- Lethargy and tiredness
- Frequent vomiting leads to:
- Swollen parotid glands, tooth decay
- Imbalance in biochemical system that leads to heart problem
- Red marks leave on fingers due to harms of stomach acid
- Frequent use of laxatives lead to gastrointestinal and bowel disruptions
- Dehydration
Psychosocial
- Feelings of loss of control, negative body image and being useless
- Preoccupied with automatic thinking on food and drive to be thin at the same time
- Body shape being the only thing for evaluating self image
- Feel depressed, anxious, guilt and urge to self-destruction after binging
- Intense and conflicted family members relationships
- Eat normally in front of others and then binge in secret
- Diminished social network due to ongoing avoidance to eat with others
Behavioral
- Vicious cycles of fasting and binge eating
- Consume extremely large amount of food in secret
- Conceal large amount of food at home in secret
- Stay in toilet for a long time after eating (for vomiting)
- Do excessive exercises, self-induce vomit, fasting/ dieting, take laxatives, diuretics or slimming pills after binging
- Stealing (especially food)
| ** If you suspect your family members, friends or yourself suffering from eating disorders, call us as soon as possible at our hotline 2850 4448. |
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