Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder that is becoming quite common, especially among young adults.
The affected person has episodes of binge eating followed by purging through vomiting, laxative use or exercise.
The vicious cycle of binging and purging becomes a way of life, leads to severe health problems and can be life threatening unless treated.
In order to treat this disorder it is important to know what causes bulimia nervosa.
Causes of Bulimia Nervosa Genetic disposition toward bulimia cannot be ruled out.
Evidence suggests that families with these disorders often have children with one or more eating disorder.
There is a natural inclination towards obsessive compulsive behavior, anxiety, depression and a tendency to use food to cope that may develop into a disorder.
Calorie restriction or anorexia may also lead to bulimia when dieting and hunger pangs lead to gorging of food and then purging to get rid of it.
Psychological causes are more common in causing these disorders.
The person usually is seen to have a negative attitude toward his/her body image and perceives oneself to be fat.
This negative attitude may have deep-seated reasons or may be influenced by family and friends.
Physical and sexual abuse in childhood has been strongly associated with the development of an eating-disorder such as bulimia or anorexia.
When food is misused to escape from psychological disturbances or feelings of incompetence, then an eating disorder may develop.
The person misuses food when he/she is unable to define the problems or address them adequately.