Bulimia nervosa, known as simply bulimia, is an eating disorder characterized by binge eating followed by purging or fasting, and excessive concern with body shape and weight.
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11 Facts About Bulimia
2.
Bulimia is frequently associated with other mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, borderline personality disorder, bipolar disorder and problems with drugs or alcohol.
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3.
Bulimia is more common among those who have a close relative with the condition.
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4.
Bulimia is about nine times more likely to occur in women than men.
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5.
Bulimia was named and first described by the British psychiatrist Gerald Russell in 1979.
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6.
Bulimia has negative effects on a person's teeth due to the acid passed through the mouth from frequent vomiting causing acid erosion, mainly on the posterior dental surface.
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7.
Bulimia has been compared to drug addiction, though the empirical support for this characterization is limited.
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8.
Bulimia nervosa occurs more frequently in developed countries and in cities, with one study finding that bulimia is five times more prevalent in cities than in rural areas.
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9.
Bulimia is thought to be more prevalent among Caucasians; however, a more recent study showed that African-American teenage girls were 50 percent more likely than Caucasian girls to exhibit bulimic behavior, including both binging and purging.
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10.
Bulimia's reportedly consumed dozens of oranges and several pounds of tomatoes each day, yet would skip meals.
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11.
Bulimia specified treatment options and indicated the seriousness of the disease, which can be accompanied by depression and suicide.
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