Women and Peace

Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by binge eating and purging. Bulimics purge by either inducing vomiting or by abusing laxatives and diuretics. Some do all three.

Bulimics usually binge due to stress or other emotional upset, and not by hunger. They eat to feel better, then panic at how much or what they ate, forcing themselves to purge.

Symptoms of bulimia include:

• decaying front teeth (from repeated vomiting)
• brittle hair
• dry skin
• distorted body image
• drinking large amounts of water during meals

Often bulimics will find some excuse to go to the bathroom after eating. They are often very secretive, and don’t want anyone to discover they are throwing up after eating.