Comprehending Conditions Which Exist Along with Bulimia Nervosa
February 27th, 2009 | by admin |
A co-morbid disorder refers to a term employed by mental health professionals. Co-morbid disorders are physical as well as 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 as well as 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 created the co-morbid disorders, or vice-versa since both conditions must be treated for recovery to be successful. Going to this internet site Obesity In Women will let you know many more educational tips for you to learn from.
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 abuse of laxatives, diuretics as well as 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, abuse of stimulant drugs in particular. abuse of amphetamine drugs allow the bulimic to exercise rapidly and help control appetite. Common binging as well as 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.
Where female bulimics are concerned, the menstrual cycle can be disrupted as well as irregularities are common. When malnutrition sets in, the body begins to shut down and menstrual periods may cease entirely.
Regrettably for the bulimic, the complications of the disease will take their life if left untreated. A bulimic’s life is cut by at least ten years as well as at some point, either malnutrition or suicide will gain the upper hand once the disorder has full control of the patient’s life. From that point on, there is no alternative left except death.
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