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Bulimia Nervosa

Under normal circumstances, when a human is psychologically healthy, they would only eat when necessary, especially when they feel hungry. Eating is a habit that is considered healthy most of the time and is always medically encouraged for nutrition purposes. However, when the habit of eating goes beyond the regular medical expectations, in terms of the intervals, the suitable amounts and even more irregular ways, it is considered abnormal. Bulimia nervosa is abnormal because the victim usually takes in abnormally vast amounts of food. The victim is prone to the craving for food that is abnormal of the normal human craving. Individuals often commit abnormal compensatory actions like self-induced vomiting to avoid the excessive weight gain associated with the disorder (Abnormal Psychology, 2021).

The DSM-5 criteria involved in the diagnosis of bulimia nervosa involves a particular criterion that leads to the final decision by the doctors that the problem the patient is suffering from is bulimia nervosa. It includes evaluating recurrent binge-eating episodes, recurrent habits of compensating for the binge eating like the misuse of laxatives, and the intervals within which the behaviors occur. Also, obsession with the self-image of the body and the fact that purging and binging on food does not occur throughout the entire period of the disorder. The specific diagnostic tests for bulimia nervosa include the physical examination for bodyweight check, lab tests for electrolytes check, endocrine system functions check etc. psychological evaluation for mental health and other studies like x-rays for bone density, among others (Abnormal Psychology, 2021).

The psychological bit of the diagnosis is associated with the evaluation of body image in terms of body weight and height. A person suffering from bulimia nervosa usually experiences a disturbance with their body image. They often are obsessed with their body weight and their physical appearance. Some of the patients usually agitate themselves using the nicks of their knuckles to make themselves vomit and thus compensate for the binge eating. The victims of bulimia nervosa do experience amenorrhea and usually have chronic problems of the bowel, which lead to electrolyte imbalance, protein imbalance and disturbed internal organs functions. The rate at which such individuals consume food is relatively high, and they are always depressed, which makes the mental checkup necessary.

I agree that the symptoms for the disorder match the criteria that qualify an individual to be suffering from bulimia nervosa. The possible disorders associated with bulimia nervosa include self-judgment that may be harsh based on self-flaws and shortcomings. The negative eating habits can lead to severe dehydration, resulting in serious medical complications like kidney failure. Heart problems may result from the disorder and may be as critical as dysrhythmia and heart failure. Severe gum disease and tooth decay may result from the condition, contributing to depression and low self-esteem.

The possible treatments for the disorder are empirically supported treatments. The mood symptoms associated with the disorder are treatable using medications like fluoxetine. It helps solve the problems of desires to binge eat, elevate the mood, and relieve depression. Therapy for cognitive behavior is done to alter the mindset of the victims. It changes how such individuals view themselves in terms of body image. Family therapy is necessary to help foster good communication, resolve conflicts as well as establish boundaries. Personal individual therapy is essential in developing positive self-esteem. Finally, hospitalization is necessary to help cure the individuals of the eating disorder. In conclusion, bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder associated with binge eating and corrective measures due to depression on body image. It may lead to other complications. It is, however, treatable.

Reference

Abnormal Psychology. (2021). Eating Disorders. Retrieved from https://courses.lumenlearning.com/abnormalpsychology/chapter/bulimia-nervosa-307-51/