How to Identify Bulimia

Bulimia is an eating disorder characterized by an intense fear of becoming fat. It involves a continuing pattern of binge eating (the rapid consumption of a large amount of food) followed by purging (self-induced vomiting). Excessive use of laxatives and excessive exercise are also common. If you notice these symptoms in a loved one, seek professional help for this person.

Instructions

1. Observe whether the person is fasting excessively. Fasting is often used as a sort of cleansing process, but excessive fasting can indicate a more serious eating problem.

2. Observe whether the person is exercising excessively. Does she exercise consistently after meals? Does she explicitly state what the exercise is for - for example, "I have to go work off the bagel I just ate"?

3. Observe whether the person complains of dizziness and/or experiences fainting spells. Vomiting takes a lot of energy out of a person and can cause electrolyte imbalances, which can result in lightheadedness. Also, without consuming and holding down food, a bulimic will be fatigued and may not have enough energy to engage in normal day-to-day activities.

4. Evaluate whether the person has a preoccupation with food, weight or body image. Is the person overly critical of her eating habits and appearance, especially after eating?

5. Notice whether the person experiences frequent weight fluctuations. Not all bulimics lose weight consistently. Instead, they may or may not be considered thin, and their weight may go up and down frequently.

6. Notice if the person has red knuckles and shows puffiness around the face from vomiting.

7. Notice if the person suffers from a sudden onset of tooth decay. The acid produced from vomiting can rot the teeth.

8. Observe whether the person goes to the bathroom frequently, especially after meals. The person may be purging the food she has just consumed.

Tips & Warnings

• Many bulimics will deny that they have a problem and will try to hide their eating disorder symptoms. The first step in recovery is acknowledging the eating problem, which is usually met with high resistance. Do not be deceived by excuses, no matter how good they sound.

• Ask for support and help for both you and the person you are concerned about. Your job is to care, not to cure. See "Support Someone With Bulimia" and "Find Help for Someone With Bulimia," under Related eHows.

• Bulimia is not a stage that people pass through easily. A person afflicted with bulimia often feels that the binge-purge cycle is out of her control.

• If symptoms persist or if you have specific medical conditions or concerns, we recommend you contact a physician. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.