(HealthDay News) - Bulimia is an eating disorder that causes a person to eat large amounts of food (binge), then vomit (purge) to avoid gaining weight.
While symptoms of bulimia are physical, the disorder is often brought on by emotional problems.
Here are some common triggers of bulimia, courtesy of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services:
- Societal and cultural pressures to have a thin and perfect body.
- Having relatives who are bulimic or who are overly concerned with body image and weight.
- Traumatic events or stressful changes in life, like a sexual assault, death in the family, divorce or a new job.
- Having low self-esteem, compulsive behaviors or a feeling of hopelessness.
- Hormonal or chemical imbalances.
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