Abstract This paper presents a proposal for studying the nature and effect of the bulimia nervosa disease. The paper discusses what the disease is doing to its victims and focuses on how it has affected young females in today's society, particularly female college students.
From the Paper "This proposal involves group therapy for bulimia nervosa clients. Regarding the nature of the disease and its effects, Bennett states that bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder primarily observed in adolescent girls. The disorder is characterized by episodes of binge eating or eating large quantities of food in a short time, coupled with the use of vomiting, laxative abuse and/or excessive exercising in order to prevent weight gain. As the disorder increases..."
Abstract This paper presents a thorough discussion of bulimia nervosa, including its symptoms, the damage it may potentially cause and treatment. The author examines new theories behind the development of this condition. Additionally,the paper outlines who is at risk for becoming bulimic. The paper concludes with treatment options, citing which patients may have positive outcomes, and the personality traits that lead to less successful outcomes.
From the Paper "The term bulimia is derived from the Greek word for ox hunger and depicts the extreme nature of binge eating. Cases of bulimia nervosa, which is characterized by binge eating and purging, were not reported until the 1970s. The formal criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV), require that both the binge eating and the compensatory behavior occur, on average, at least twice a week for a period of three months: "Purging or other compensatory weight-loss measures: regular self-induced vomiting or misuse of laxatives or diuretics in the purging type; other inappropriate compensatory behavior, such as fasting or excessive exercise, in the nonpurging type." There are three main modes of purging: self-induced vomiting, abuse of laxatives, and misuse of diuretics. Most patients with bulimia induce vomiting with a finger, but some use ipecac. As the illness progresses, many can vomit reflexively without mechanical stimulation. The medical complications of bulimia nervosa are related to the mode and frequency of purging, whereas in anorexia nervosa, they arise as a result of starvation (restricting) and weight loss. "
Abstract The paper explains that bulimia involves the consumption of extremely large amounts of food and subsequent efforts to eliminate that food and calories through purging or other ways. The paper examines the various factors that may predispose individuals to bulimia and looks at the criteria for a diagnosis. The paper discusses the relationship between bulimia and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and explains how treatments for bulimia include both psychological and pharmacological interventions. Finally, the paper explores the possible prevention of this eating disorder.
From the Paper "Bulimia is a serious, multifaceted psychiatric illness that entails physiological, psychological, cultural, and developmental components (McGilley & Pryor, 1998). Over two million adolescent girls and young women in the United States alone are affected by this disorder (Lamb, 1999). The disorder involves the consumption of extremely large amounts of food, also known as binge behavior, and then subsequent efforts to eliminate the food and calories just consumed through the act of purging (vomiting, laxative use, etc.) or non-purging behavior (fasting, excessive exercise). Extreme anxiety, physical discomfort, and intense guilt following a binge provoke the individual with bulimia to engage in purging behavior (McGilley & Pryor, 1998)."
Abstract This paper explains that education on bulimia nervosa is important for nurses because bulimia threatens the long-term health of newborns and mothers. The author relates that, at the end of the teaching session, the client will be able to understand the concerns that are raised by bulimic behavior during pregnancy, the difference between reasonable steps to control weight gain during and after pregnancy and risk-prone bulimic behavior, the range of resources and the negative perception given bulimic behavior. The paper stresses that, in pregnant women, bulimia can cause cardiac compromise to the fetus. The author underscores that the unique component of the teaching plan is its emphasis on the anti-social aspects of bulimia.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Review of the Literature-
Teaching Project Objectives
Teaching Material
The Creative Element
From the Paper "Bowers remains a classic overview of bulimia nervosa. Bowers has followed up his suggestions on cognitive therapy with a study on the use of medications to enhance outcomes of such therapies. Other studies have found eating present in pre-adolescents. The supposed genetic component has now been dismissed. Recent studies give a cue to addressing the problem: Bulimia carries social costs. It is perceived in a very negative light."
Abstract This paper examines how the diagnosis of bulimia nervosa is made in people who are involved in recurrent binge-eating episodes and who have a morbid fear of becoming fat and try to get rid of the unwanted calories they voraciously ingest. It also discusses how bulimia has been observed to become more and more prevalent among young women, especially on college campuses, although clinically significant bulimia seems to be rare. The paper then looks at various methods of treatment.
From the Paper "Desipramine is found to be more effective than placebo in reducing binge-eating and purging behavior, independent of depressive symptoms, in dosages ranging from 100 to 350 mg/day administered over 6-32 weeks. However, in 1 study, the majority of responders had relapsed at 6-month follow up. Although desipramine was better tolerated than imipramine, cardiovascular side effects were quite frequent. Desipramine seemed to be most effective at reducing core bulimic symptoms and associated affective symptoms when combined with psychotherapy. (Valbak, 2001) Amitriptyline was also evaluated in the treatment of bulimia nervosa at a dosage of 150 mg/day; the drug was not found to be superior to placebo. These results should be interpreted with caution, however, because the dose was low, the trial duration was only 8 weeks and behavioral therapy was performed concurrently. "
Abstract This paper presents an overview of the disorders Bulimia nervosa and Hypothyroidism, including a description of both syndromes and their effects (diagnoses/onset of Bulimia and role of thyroid gland), as well as a review of various research findings interconnecting the two. In particular, long term damaging effects of Bulimia such as low blood sugar and hyperglycemia, lower resting metabolic rates, and malnutrition are examined in order to correlate it with the possible onset of hypothyroidism.
From the Paper "A brief description of Bulimia Nervosa according to the latest DSM IV entails recurrent episodes of binge eating characterized of larger than normal portions in shorter than average time spans. These episodes are accompanied by a lack of control over feeding behavior and typically followed by a period of compensatory behavior such as self-induced vomiting; misuse of laxatives, diuretics, enemas, or other medications; fasting, or excessive exercise. Binges and purges occur in ongoing cycles for an average of at least twice a week for three months. An onset of bulimia usually occurs in later adolescence and more prevalent in females. People suffering this condition may or may not be overweight and may or may not have suffered previously or are concurrently suffering from Anorexia Nervosa."
Abstract The paper defines 'bulimia nervosa' and examines its effects on the person suffering from it. The paper explores the symptoms of bulimia, and how to diagnose the condition. The paper further discusses the treatment options available. The paper concludes that if a patient, or her friends and relatives were to seek treatment immediately after they had recognized the various symptoms of a bulimic, then the patient would be able to make a full recovery and lead a normal life. If not, the long term gastrointestinal and other consequences of the eating disorder called bulimia could be fatal for the patient.
From the Paper "However, statistics prove that eating disorders have the highest death rate, at any rate, a higher death rate than any other psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia and depression. The seriousness of the long-term consequences of the disorder depends on how early the diagnosis for the disorder had been made, and how early the treatment if nay was started. According to the Eating Disorders Association in the UK, the incidence of eating disorders in the country is approximately 165,000, and the mortality rate is about ten percent. Most of these deaths are caused by either organ failure due to the disorder, or due to suicide because of an inability to cope with the devastation caused by the repeated cycle of eating-bingeing-purging-eating of a typical bulimic. If an eating disorder is left untreated for many years due to some reason or another, then the effects can be life threatening and disastrously irreversible for the patient. (The Consequence of Eating Disorders)"
Abstract This paper looks at the sickness, bulimia. The author shows how bulimia reflects the afflicted's need to feel in control. It is an ongoing battle they encounter with perfection. The characteristics of a bulimic and the disease itself are looked at in-depth.
From the Paper "Everybody eats. We do so both because we need to and because we enjoy it. However, as with all human behavior, there are huge differences between people. Some eat more, some eat less, some put on weight easily, others do not. And some people go to such extremes that they harm themselves, by eating too much or too little. As a result, they may harm their health and come to the attention of doctors. Here, we will discuss the issue of bulimia."
Abstract This paper reviews recent studies that attempt to identify the psychological factors"body dissatisfaction, self-esteem, perfectionism and abuse"associated with bulimia nervosa and women. While perfectionism and abuse have been hypothesized as risk factors in the multifactorial model of bulimia, body dissatisfaction and low self-esteem seem to contribute more to bulimic behavior. However, the processes that might account for such a link are not yet well understood. The review of literature aids in developing a framework for further research and treatment.
From the Paper "In the past 20 years, the prevalence of eating disorders has increased dramatically, where approximately 90 percent of patients suffering from an eating disorder are female aged 15 to 29. The two main types of eating disorders are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa (more commonly known as anorexia and bulimia). Their prevalence estimates tend to range from about 3 to 10 percent of women with bulimic patients outnumbering anorexic patients by at least 2 to 1. Both can lead to a wide range of physical health complications, including serious heart conditions and kidney failure, which may lead to death. In the United States, they appear to be about as common in Hispanic women as in Caucasians, more common among Native Americans, and less common among blacks and Asians."
Abstract This paper is written about bulimia and depression. Often eating disorders stem from depression or the eating disorder causes depression. Often it is difficult to know which is causing which. Research has focused on both of them learning that treatment for depression is important in helping with bulimia.
This paper discusses the lack of consensus as to the etiology of anorexia and bulimia nervosa, eating disorders that almost exclusively affects middle and upper-class girls and young women in postindustrial cultures.
Abstract This paper defines and compares anorexia, an individual refusing to maintain a normal body weight, with underweight defined as 85% of normal weight for the person's age and height, and bulimia, episodes of binging and purging taking place a minimum of two times per week for three months or longer. The author points out that when first identified in the 1870s occurrences of anorexia were quite rare, but the number of cases has been accelerating rapidly since the 1970s. The paper reviews the biomedical, psychological, cultural and developmental models in search of a definitive etiology, but none of these explain totally the cause.
From the Paper "Changes in the hypothalamus' secretion of the hormone CRH, for example, have been shown to occur in depressed and anorexic individuals. This organ, which is responsible for the regulation of various homeostatic processes such as respiration, food and water intake, digestion, and metabolism, and this leads many to conclude that the misfiring of the hypothalamus is responsible for aberrant behaviors associated with digestion, food intake, and so on. But, research has only shown the covariance of the disorder and the secretory aberration. This means that the organic change could be the result of damage from anorexic starvation, or that psychic stress interferes with the organ's operations, (and it is known to be sensitive to "environmental stress" that has led to "pathologic changes in the organism". Or, it might be the case that anorexia nervosa, and its psychological expressions, are the result of a "primary hypothalamic defect of unknown etiology."
Tags: biomedical, culture, developmental, homone, fear
Abstract This six-page paper discusses the eating disorder of Anorexia Bulimia and the psychology effects coupled with the recommended treatment of such an eating disorder.
Abstract Throughout the literature it has been noted that prevalence rates of BN within Australia fall within the 1-3% range for women meeting diagnosable criteria within the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV). This paper explores and critically reflects on the treatment orientations of cognitive behavioural therapy and a psychodynamic approach. The outcomes and underlying mechanisms driving these orientations are explored with personal preferences and frameworks of the author being expressed at the cessation.
From the Paper "Core assumptions of Bulimia Nervosa (BN) from a Cognitive-Behavioural perspective surround its precise pathology (ie. the clinical features from which it is diagnosable) and that which maintains such pathology. Clinical features and those, which maintain them, are the formulation upon which treatment is based and executed. Fairburn, Marcus and Wilson (1993) specify these cognitive and behavioural factors which maintain BN, as being low self esteem, extreme concerns about shape and weight, dietary restraint (ie. restriction of food intake), binge eating, and compensatory behaviours (such as vomiting and/or laxative use). Figure 1 depicts a schematic representation of their cognitive-behavioural model (as depicted by Fairburn, Marcus and Wilson, 1993)."
Abstract This paper examines the contemporary Western society that continues to send the message to young women that to be happy and successful one must be thin, which results in women starving themselves in an attempt to attain what the media considers an ideal figure. This paper focuses on bulimia nervosa which is a multifaceted disorder with psychological, physiological, developmental and cultural components. This paper also details the causes, symptoms and treatments for this disorder.
From the Paper "Bingeing is defined as the rapid consumption of a large amount of food; often a bulimic patient will eat more in two hours than a normal person would consume in an entire day. Binges are often followed by a period of severely restricted food intake and also are accompanied by feelings of guilt, shame, loss of control, anxiety and depression. These negative feelings, especially anxiety and shame about oneself or one's behaviors typically in turn lead to the second step of bulimic behavior: purging. The most common purging behavior is patient-induced vomiting, a compensatory behavior intended to negate the caloric effects of the binge."
Abstract This paper discusses how an important issue affecting many young women in Western society is eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN). It examines how with accurate diagnosis and treatment, the hope for recovery is great. It also contends that the societal issues that drive young women into such disorders need to be addressed before a complete eradication of such a disorder can be had.
Outline:
Introduction
Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa
Risk Factors for Eating Disorders
Anorexia and Bulimia: Symptoms and Diagnosis
The Causes of Eating Disorders
Health Complications of Eating Disorders
Eating Disorders and Relevant Treatments
Conclusion
From the Paper "CBT is often used to treat eating disorders because cognition and affect is related to the behavioral manifestations of the eating disorder. CBT works by attempting to modify the "negative automatic thoughts and dysfunctional assumptions relating to food, weight and shape, and the breaking of behavioural and physiological chains that maintain the unhealthy eating behaviours and cognitions" (238). CBT does not appear to be as effective for AN patients as it is for BN patients. Nonetheless, research has indicated that certain aspects of anorexia do react well to such treatment, such as "body image disturbance...to exposure and cognitive challenge" (citing e.g. Norris 1984; 238)."
