Bulimia Nervosa Quiz

Understanding Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia nervosa is a serious and potentially life-threatening eating disorder characterized by a cycle of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors. This quiz covers key aspects of its diagnosis, symptoms, health consequences, and treatment. A thorough understanding is crucial for healthcare professionals, students, and individuals seeking to support loved ones.

Key Diagnostic Criteria (DSM-5)

To be diagnosed with bulimia nervosa, an individual must meet specific criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5):

• Recurrent episodes of binge eating: An episode is characterized by eating, in a discrete period of time, an amount of food that is definitely larger than what most people would eat in a similar period under similar circumstances, accompanied by a sense of lack of control.
• Recurrent inappropriate compensatory behaviors: These are actions taken to prevent weight gain, such as self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or other medications; fasting; or excessive exercise.
• Frequency: The binge eating and compensatory behaviors both occur, on average, at least once a week for three months.
• Self-evaluation: An individual’s self-worth is unduly influenced by their body shape and weight.
• Exclusion: The disturbance does not occur exclusively during episodes of anorexia nervosa.

Physical and Psychological Symptoms

Bulimia nervosa affects individuals both physically and emotionally. Recognizing the signs is a key step toward intervention and treatment.

Common Physical Signs

• Chronically inflamed and sore throat
• Swollen salivary glands in the neck and jaw area (puffy cheeks)
– Worn tooth enamel and increasingly sensitive and decaying teeth as a result of exposure to stomach acid (dental caries)
• Acid reflux disorder and other gastrointestinal problems
• Intestinal distress and irritation from laxative abuse
• Severe dehydration from purging of fluids
• Electrolyte imbalance (too low or too high levels of sodium, calcium, potassium, etc.) which can lead to heart attack or stroke.
• Russell’s sign: Calluses or scars on the knuckles or back of the hands from self-induced vomiting.

Common Psychological Signs

• Preoccupation with body shape and weight
• Intense fear of gaining weight
• Feelings of being out of control during a binge-eating episode
• Feelings of guilt, shame, or disgust after a binge
• Withdrawal from friends and activities
• Co-occurring mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, or substance use disorders.

Treatment Approaches

Treatment for bulimia nervosa is multifaceted and typically involves a team of professionals. The most effective strategies combine psychotherapy, nutritional counseling, and sometimes medication.

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Specifically an enhanced form (CBT-E), is considered the gold-standard treatment. It helps patients normalize their eating patterns, identify and challenge irrational thoughts about food and body image, and develop healthier coping strategies.
• Medication: The antidepressant fluoxetine (Prozac), a type of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), is FDA-approved for the treatment of bulimia nervosa. It can help reduce the frequency of binge-purge cycles and alleviate co-occurring mood symptoms.
• Nutritional Counseling: A registered dietitian helps the individual develop a structured and healthy eating plan, breaking the cycle of binging and restricting.

Distinguishing Bulimia Nervosa from Other Eating Disorders

It’s important to differentiate bulimia nervosa from anorexia nervosa and binge eating disorder. The key distinction from anorexia nervosa (binge-eating/purging subtype) is body weight; individuals with bulimia are typically of normal weight or are overweight, whereas those with anorexia are significantly underweight. Unlike binge eating disorder, bulimia nervosa involves regular compensatory behaviors to prevent weight gain.

This information is intended for educational purposes and should not be considered a replacement for professional medical guidance.