Grasping The Conditions Which Live Along Side of Bulimia Nervosa

A co-morbid disorder refers to a term employed by mental health professionals. Co-morbid disorders are physical and emotional conditions that add to a person's mental as well as physical state stemming from a "primary" disorder. On the surface, there is the main condition - For example, diabetes - but along with that illness are other conditions that compound the situation - such as peripheral neuropathy, a loss of blood flow to the feet causing pain.

Eating disorders like Bulimia Nervosa rarely present without co-morbid physical and emotional conditions. When co-morbid conditions do exist, they too must be treated along with the patient's bulimia, the primary diagnosis. Successful treatment of Bulimia Nervosa depends upon the simultaneous treatment of co-morbid disorders. It's really not important to debate whether bulimia induced the co-morbid disorders, or vice-versa since both conditions must be treated for recovery to be successful. Going to this web site Adolescent Obesity which will provide you with a lot more instructive selective information.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association, Version Four, Text Revised (DSM-IV-TR) describes the following physical and emotional disorders that are oftentimes co-morbid with Bulimia Nervosa: Most bulimics are not medically obese, but are of a normal weight or perhaps underweight. Through purging their food through self-induced vomiting, excessive exercise, and the misuse of laxatives, diuretics and enemas, they avoid weight gain.

Symptoms of depression as well as/or anxiety are frequently co-morbid with bulimia. Patients exhibit anhedonia (loss of pleasurable feelings), insomnia, inability to focus and concentrate, and thoughts of suicide - all symptoms of depression. Patients may also exhibit deep feelings of anxiety and fear in social situations, feelings of overwhelming stress, and very poor self-esteem - all symptoms of anxiety.

Substance misuse is frequently co-morbid with bulimia, misuse of stimulant drugs in particular. abuse of amphetamine drugs allow the bulimic to exercise rapidly as well as help control appetite. Common binging and purging results in fluid as well as electrolyte abnormalities a potentially fatal condition if not immediately treated with IV fluids. A major complication of self-induced vomiting is the depletion of tooth enamel, resulting in serious dental problems. This is caused by the stomach acids wearing away tooth enamel. A bulimic's salivary glands may be enlarged, causing dental scaring. Many bulimics require extensive dental procedures, including dentures.

For the female bulimic, the menstrual cycle can stop altogether. Malnutrition causes the body to halt certain functions that it might not consider vital to survival. In some cases, menstrual cycle irregularities are common, as well as the menstrual cycle disappearing. Rare, but potentially fatal co-morbid conditions include death by esophageal rupture, gastric rupture, heart attack, and rectal prolapse due to laxative misuse.

The life-span of untreated sufferers of Bulimia Nervosa is lessened by at least ten years. At some point, malnutrition or other complications of bulimia, including suicide, conquers the untreated bulimic. Once the disorder has taken control of the patient's life, death is the only possible alternative, whether by suicide or medical complications.

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