Bulimia nervosa
- Bulimia nervosa is a common type of eating disorder and mental illness.
- It is characterised by eating large amounts of food at one time often and then purging e.g. vomiting/using laxatives.
- Between 1 and 3 per cent of young people experience bulimia nervosa.
What causes bulimia nervosa?
There is no single reason for an individual to develop bulimia nervosa.
What are the signs and symptoms of bulimia nervosa?
Bulimia nervosa is diagnosed when a person exhibits the following symptoms for at least 3 months:
- frequent intake of large amounts of food in a single sitting
- a sense of lack of control
- action would be taken to get rid of the food, such as exercise or vomiting
- sense of self worth would be overly influenced by weight and shape concerns.
Where to get help
Acknowledgements
Perth Children's Hospital (PCH)
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS)
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