The Study of Bulimia Nervosa - Thesis Example

Bulimia nervosa August 4, Bulimia nervosa Introduction Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder that is characterized by a pattern of bingeing and corrective behaviors such as self-induced vomiting that is done to compensate for or undo the effects of binge eating (Milanese & Nardone, 2005). When a person suffers from bulimia nervosa, they are aware of how much they eat when they binge, and this is something that they are unable to handle. To make up for their erratic eating behaviors characterized by binge eating, they attempt to make up the amount of food that they have eaten by self-induced vomiting to rid their bodies of their intake of food. People with bulimia nervosa are preoccupied by their body shape and weight. Their appreciation for food causes them to binge, but their guilt afterwards causes them to purge or turn to over exercising to make up for their binge. I. Signs of psychopathology of bulimia It is highly believed that bulimia nervosa contains psychopathological signs in its development processes in a person, meaning that mental illness and distress might play a role in the development of bulimia nervosa. Indeed, there is a correlation between people with bulimia nervosa and borderline personality disorder (Cooper, 2003). The characteristics of borderline personality bring about depression in people, as well as unstable self-image, identity, and behavior. The individual’s sense of self is also negatively affected. All of these aforementioned symptoms of borderline personality bring about negative emotions in regard to an individual’s self-image. They become uncomfortable being in their own skin, finding something wrong whenever they are presented with the opportunity. When a person develops a mental illness that causes them to reconsider their self-image and reevaluate their sense of self, other disorders can begin to be developed, especially those relating to their self-image. If an individual feels negatively about how they look, they tend to implement means that can make them feel better about themselves. Even if they remain unpleased about how they appear to themselves, they still feel better about the fact that they are at least trying to compensate for the damage that they believe they are doing to themselves. The symptoms that accompany bulimia nervosa are similar to those found in borderline personality disorder. The possibility of developing an eating disorder is also a symptom of borderline personality, displaying that the two disorders can go hand-in-hand with one another. Other mental illnesses that can be connected to bulimia nervosa are multiple personality disorder and depression. II. Differential diagnoses As the majority of eating disorders can be mistaken for other disorders, individuals that show signs and symptoms of an eating disorder undergoes a process of elimination to determine whether or not that they do have bulimia nervosa. This enables the clinician to establish a precise diagnosis and provide the patient with the proper treatment and support. Anorexia nervosa is one of the more common disorders that share the majority of its symptoms with bulimia nervosa. Anorexia nervosa involves the rapid losing of weight and is often accompanied by a poor self-image, especially in regard to weight. Individuals with anorexia nervosa fear becoming fat and do everything in their power to avoid becoming so, even if they are of average weight or underweight. Borderline personality disorder, though a sign of psychopathology of bulimia nervosa, also stands on its own in the sense that it can be the sole reason behind someone’s eating disorder. Instead of bingeing and purging being a symptom of bulimia nervosa, it is a symptom of borderline personality disorder. Borderline personality deals with a negative or unstable self-image, which can lead to eating disorders (Horwitz, 1996). Individuals diagnosed with bulimia nervosa can also be diagnosed with borderline personality, and vice versa, but this does not always have to be the case. They can go hand-in-hand, but they are also capable of standing alone. Major depressive disorder can also be a cause for bulimia nervosa-related behaviors. Similar to borderline personality disorder, major depressive disorder can cause an individual to rapidly lose weight even though they are not dieting or are consciously aware of wanting to lose weight. In regard to weight, individuals with major depressive disorder do not have a negative self-image, but show signs of an increasing or decreasing appetite, which might suggest an eating disorder. III. Pharmacological treatment, education, and follow-up As bulimia nervosa is often brought about by symptoms similar to depression, antidepressants are usually prescribed the individuals. The only antidepressant that is approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat bulimia nervosa is fluoxetine (Robinson, 2009), or Prozac. Antidepressants can also treat any mental disorders that might be playing a role in bulimia nervosa in an individual. When an individual is prescribed antidepressants, they are informed of the effects that should take place with the drug. The individual is constantly monitored to see and understand the effects of the drug in relation to the treatment of bulimia nervosa. Dietary supplements are also an option for people suffering from bulimia nervosa as these can help in prevent weight loss or weight gain. The only disadvantage is that people are able to abuse these medications, only increasing the destruction that they are administering to their bodies. IV. Non-pharmacological treatment, education, and follow-up The most common non-pharmacological treatment method is psychotherapy. A type of talk therapy known as cognitive behavior therapy is often used in the treatment of bulimia nervosa. This therapy exercises the notion that it is the thoughts of the individual that are important and not the thoughts of others (Agras & Apple, 2007). It also helps to identify negative beliefs and behaviors and replace them with positive ones. Yoga is often recommended in the place of exercising and nutritional plans are created. Weight restoration becomes a goal of clinicians when it comes to an individual who has lost a significant amount of weight as a result of bulimia nervosa. Diet and exercise plans are formed and implemented into the lifestyle of the individual; there are many medically supervised weight-loss programs that can help individuals reach a weight that they and their clinician are happy with. The individual is also educated on nutrition and how it helps them to maintain a healthy weight without resorting to drastic and unhealthy measures. As therapy and weight restoration involves constant communication with doctoral professionals, numerous follow-ups take place while the individual undergoes treatment. This allows the clinicians to understand what more needs to be done to keep their patient at a healthy weight, or if diet and exercise plans need to be changed to accommodate further issues that might arise from the eating disorder. V. Community resources Community resources are also used as treatment for bulimia nervosa. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) provides a plethora of support groups for people suffering from bulimia nervosa. This organization can help connect individuals with support groups in their local area as well as other organizations that can help them to seek the proper help for overcoming their eating disorder. The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) is yet another resource that can come in handy, providing individuals with resources and information on support groups both in their area and online. References Agras, W.S., & Apple, R.F. (2007). Overcoming eating disorders: A Cognitive- behavioral approach for bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, USA. Cooper, M. (2003). The psychology of bulimia nervosa: A cognitive perspective. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, USA. Horwitz, L. (1996). Borderline personality disorder: Tailoring the psychotherapy to patient. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing, Incorporated. Milanese, R., & Nardone, G. (2005). Prison of food. London, UK: Karnac Books. Robinson, P. (2009). Severe and enduring eating disorder: Management of Complex presentations of anorexia and bulimia nervosa. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated. Read More