Diseases » Psychiatry » Bulimia Nervosa

There is no single cause of Bulimia. While low self-esteem and concerns about weight and body image play major roles, there are many other contributing causes including social, psychological and biological factors. Major causes and risk factors for Bulimia include: • Appearance oriented activities: People who face tremendous pressure to look a certain way or stay thin are vulnerable to developing an eating disorder. Those at risk include ballet dancers, models, gymnasts, wrestlers, runners, and actors. • Biological factors: Eating disorders run in families, indicating a genetic component. Research also shows that low levels of serotonin play a role in Bulimia. • Dieting: People who diet are much more likely to develop an eating disorder than those who don’t. The deprivation of drastic dieting can trigger binge eating, leading to Bulimia’s binge-and-purge cycle. • Low self-esteem: People who think of themselves as useless, worthless, and unattractive are at risk for Bulimia. Things that can contribute to low self-esteem include depression, perfectionism, childhood abuse, and a critical home environment. • Major life changes: Bulimia is often triggered by stressful changes or transitions, such as the physical changes of puberty, going away to college, or the breakup of a relationship. Bingeing and purging may be a misguided attempt to cope with the stress. • Poor body image: Our culture’s emphasis on thinness and beauty can lead to body dissatisfaction, particularly in young women bombarded with media images of an unrealistic physical ideal.

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