$Unique_ID{BRK03549}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Bulimia}
$Subject{Bulimia Eating Disorder}
$Volume{}
$Log{}

Copyright (C) 1986 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

188:
Bulimia

** IMPORTANT **
It is possible the main title of the article (Bulimia) is not the name
you expected.  Please check the SYNONYMS listing to find the alternate names
and disorder subdivisions covered by this article.

Synonyms

     Eating Disorder

General Discussion

** REMINDER **
The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for
educational purposes only.  It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment
purposes.  If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please
contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources"
section of this report.

Bulimia is a psychiatric disorder consisting of binge eating, often
followed by self-induced vomiting or purges by the use of laxatives and
diuretics.  The majority of patients are female.

Symptoms

A person with Bulimia will go on inconspicuous eating binges.  Women
suffering from this disorder may have menstrual irregularities, swollen
glands and their weight can fluctuate significantly due to alternating binges
and fasts.  They commonly fear they will be unable to stop eating voluntarily.

For more information on eating disorders, see "Eating Disorders - When
Thinness Becomes an Obsession" in Prevalent Health Conditions/Concerns area
of NORD Services.

Causes

The cause of Bulimia is unknown.  It is presently considered to be a
psychiatric disorder.

Affected Population

Approximately 95% of persons suffering from Bulimia are female, about 5% are
male.  Onset of the disorder is usually during adolescence.

Related Disorders

Bulimia is a disorder of overeating (binge eating), while Anorexia Nervosa is
characterized by periods of self-starvation which may alternate with binge
eating.  (For more information on Anorexia Nervosa, choose anorexia as your
search term in the Rare Disease Database.)

Therapies:  Standard

Treatment of Bulimia includes provision of a calm, concerned, stable
environment, and supportive psychotherapy which helps build a better self
image and eventually more stable eating patterns.

Therapies:  Investigational

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through March
1987.  Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every
entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate.  Please
check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current
information about this disorder.

Resources

For more information on Bulimia, please contact:

     National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
     P.O. Box 8923
     New Fairfield, CT  06812-1783
     (203) 746-6518

     Bulimia, Anorexia Self-Help
     6125 Clayton Ave., Suite 215
     St. Louis, MO  63139

     American Anorexia/Bulimia Association
     418 E. 76th St.
     New York, NY  10021
     (212) 734-1114

     Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, Inc.
     P.O. Box 7
     Highland Park, IL  60035

     Anorexia Nervosa and Related Eating Disorders, Inc.
     P.O. Box 5102
     Eugene, OR  97405

     NIH/National Institute of Mental Health
     9000 Rockville Pike
     Bethesda, MD  20892
     (301) 443-4515 or (301) 496-1752
     (800) 421-4211 (24 hrs.)

     National Mental Health Association
     1021 Prince Street
     Alexandria, VA  22314
     (703) 684-7722

     National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
     2101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 302
     Arlington, VA  22201
     (703) 524-7600

     National Mental Health Consumer Self-Help Clearinghouse
     311 S. Juniper St., Rm. 902
     Philadelphia, PA  19107
     (215) 735-2481

References

THE MERCK MANUAL 15th ed:  R. Berkow, et al:  eds; Merck, Sharp & Dohme
Research Laboratories, 1987.  Pp. 951, 2124.

CECIL TEXTBOOK OF MEDICINE, 18th ed.:  James B. Wyngaarden, and Lloyd H.
Smith, Jr., Eds.:  W. B. Saunders Co., 1988.  Pp. 656, 1218-9.