Living with bulimia nervosa: a case report

Abstract

Eating disorders are characterized by the deterioration of eating behavior in various ways due to biological, psychological, familial, and socio-cultural factors. The prevalence of eating disorders is reported around 1% for anorexia nervosa (AN), 2-4% for bulimia nervosa (BN), and 3-4% for binge eating disorder (BED) in Western societies. The increasing of frequency in eating disorders is thought to be associated with cultural changes, increasing assimilation of Western culture and industrialization, weakening of family relations, and diminishing of social support. This increase in prevalence appeals more academic interest to this topic. BN is a life-threatening disorder that is characterized by recurrent binge eating episodes followed by self-induced vomiting or other compensatory methods (e.g., abuse of laxatives, diuretics, or excessive exercise) to prevent weight gain. The disorder is more common in women and average age of onset of BN in women is reported to be earlier than men (15-18 years). In this case report, we discuss a 46-year-old woman with the recurrent binge eating episodes followed by self- induced vomiting for 27 years, in the framework of her background and medical history, and dynamic theories of psychiatry.