Bulimia Nervosa: A Psychiatric Problem of Disorder

Abstract

This study deals with bulimia nervosa (BN) that is a serious and potentially life-threatening eating disorder, which is characterized by binge-eating and extreme weight control policy. It is a distressing and disabling disorder followed by compensatory purging behaviors, such as self-induced vomiting, misuse of diuretics and laxative; and non-purging behaviors, such as excessive exercise, severe dieting, and long-time fasting. Physical, emotional, mental, sexual, and verbal abuse can also develop bulimia nervosa. BN patients frequently have a normal weight, but sometimes they may be underweighted or overweighed. Bulimia nervosa is frequently accompanied with the effects of normal physiologic functioning. The most common causes of morbidity and mortality among bulimia nervosa patients are electrolyte and metabolic disturbances. This study reviews the key features and associated problems of bulimia nervosa and its negative effects in global healthcare environment.