Bulimia Nervosa

"Running Head: Literature Review: BULIMIA NERVOSA

Literature Review: Bulimia Nervosa

BACKGROUND

Bulimia nervosa is an illness defined by food binges, or recurrent episodes of significant overeating, that are accompanied by a sense of loss of control (Medical Encyclopedia ) 90 percent of people with bulimia are women; but bulimia affects people from all walks of life, including males, women of color, and even older women. (Wolfe 2007). My research will concentrate on young women who suffer from the disease. This concern came about after a close family member was diagnosed two years ago and now suffers extensively with multiple organs in her body being affected. My research with try to uncover the cause that leads to the disorder, the conditions that are associated and they avenues that can be used to overcome and lead a normal life that takes the focus off size and image and focus on achievement of self worth.

LITERATURE

Twelve forms of sources were used for this investigate research of bulimia nervosa. The sources included a telephone interview with, Beth Brown from Brooklyn, NY, the mother of the young lady who inspired by researching this disease. Ten articles that were retrieved from the internet after using bulimia nervosa as the phrase on several search engines and two articles that were biographies written by suffers of bulimia. Two of the articles came from MedicineNet.com. The first outlined and defined causes, diagnoses, complications and treatment. The second article covered glossary terms associated with the disease. The next two were encyclopedia related articles. The first article was from Medline Plus and the second article was from NHS Direct. Articles five through seven were from BBC sites. Article five and six were from BBC News Health and discussed Hormone balance clue to bulimia and Child overeaters become bulimic. Article seven was from bbc.co.uk Radio Listen Live / Onelife and it and it gave an overview of bulimia nervosa. Article eight was from National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA). This article discussed the symptoms, warning signs and consequences of bulimia. The ninth and article was from Woman Health. It covered frequently asked questions as well as the effects bulimia has on pregnancies. The tenth article was related to bulimia being associated with brain chemical malfunction. The two biography articles were retrieved from MamasHealth.com. I attempted to join in and observe a support group in my area; however after leaving several messages with contact person given on internet no response was received as of date.

Findings

All of the articles I read outlined the targeted victims of bulimia in the same way. Their summarizations of habits by victims, causes and treatments of bulimia, complications suffered are in line with my interview and biography articles written by suffer. They state that Bulimia Nervosa can start at any age, though it normally starts during late teens. (Dr. Hicks 2005.) Bulimia is estimated to affect between 3% of all women in the U.S. at some point in their lifetime. About 6% of teen girls and 5% - 10% of college-aged females are believed to suffer from bulimia. Approximately 10% of identified bulimic patients are men. (Stopper 2006).

There is currently no definite known cause of bulimia. Researchers believe it begins with dissatisfaction of the person's body and extreme concern with body size and shape. Usually individuals suffering from bulimia have low self-esteem, feelings of helplessness and a fear of becoming fat (MamasHealth.com). Other issues associated include cultures, family problems, life changes, stress and hormones are all causes of a person to become bulimic (Dr. Hicks 2005).

In addition a new study adds to evidence that the eating disorder bulimia springs at least in part from a chemical malfunction

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