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Symptoms of Bulimia Nervosa
In addition to displaying symptoms common to all eating disorders, bulimics may exhibit signs that include:
• Swelling of the face or neck, blisters or calluses on the backs of the hands, and discoloration and decay of the teeth—all brought on by frequent self-induced vomiting
• Visits to the restroom immediately after eating and evidence of vomiting
• Evidence of binging and purging behaviors may also be present, such as wrappers from laxatives or diuretics, signs of food hoarding, or large amounts of food consumption.
It is important to realize that the onset of dangerous medical complications is not easy to predict. People can experience a breakdown in bodily functions after suffering from weight-loss-related symptoms for only a short period of time, highlighting the severity of bulimia nervosa.
This unpredictability, combined with bulimics' tendency toward dehydration and lower levels of physical reserves (fat stores), makes these behaviors particularly dangerous for children and young adolescents. These facts highlight the danger of purgative behaviors—and underscore the message that they are not safe alternative weight-loss strategies.
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