Bulimia Nervosa Research Paper

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Food is the human body’s number one source of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that help provide energy in order to function. When the body has a lack of food, it attempts to compensate by eating away at muscle and tissue. For this reason alone, eating disorders prove to be some of the most dangerous illnesses a person can have. Not only will an eating disorder leave a person lacking the nutrients they need to survive, but it can also cause harm to one’s heart, esophagus, and stomach (Dangers of Eating Disorders). Bulimia Nervosa is one of the most serious, potentially life threatening eating disorders (Bulimia Nervosa). It is characterized by a cycle of bingeing and compensatory behaviors such as self-induced vomiting designed to …show more content…
Although causes of Bulimia Nervosa are still being researched, researchers believe that it is a result of a chemical imbalance in the brain (Bulimia facts). This imbalance can cause any number of psychological issues such as Bulimia Nervosa. Genetics cause this chemical imbalance and are triggered by outside factors (Bulimia facts). For example, cultural ideals about body image could cause a person to begin the cycle of bingeing and purging because they believe it will help them in accomplish their goal of reaching the figure they believe their society wants them to be (Bulimia facts). Bulimia Nervosa may not necessarily be the first product of bad body image; it often stems from a person choosing to begin a diet (Bulimia …show more content…
Physical signs of Bulimia can include swollen glands, discolored teeth, and calluses on the hands from self-inducing vomiting (Bulimia facts). Observable personality signs include extreme concern with body weight and shape, withdrawal from usual friend activity, and excessive exercise regimens despite weather, fatigue, illness, or injury (Bulimia Nervosa). The personality signs above prove that Bulimia Nervosa is a psychological disorder because its victims become obsessed over body image. No matter how skinny a person with Bulimia Nervosa might be, they constantly feel they are too heavy or fat. This is a similar mindset to a person that has anorexia (Inside the Mind). No matter what a person’s appearance in the mirror might be, their brain overrides due to the disorder (Inside the

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