Body Image Disturbance in Bulimia Nervosa

Abstract

Bulimia nervosa is a disorder which has only recently been identified and described (Russell, 1979). It is a condition, found almost exclusively in young women, in which episodes of excessive uncontrolled eating are the central feature. Patients with bulimia nervosa usually present at normal weight because they compensate for the bulimic episodes in a variety of ways, such as by inducing vomiting, abusing purgatives and exercising extreme dietary restraint. In addition to these disturbed eating habits, patients with bulimia nervosa have attitudes to their shape and weight similar to those found in anorexia nervosa. They also present with a wide range of neurotic symptoms, particularly of a depressive nature (Russell, 1979; Fairburn & Cooper, 1984). It is generally accepted that these neurotic symptoms are usually a secondary reaction to the core eating disorder rather than of primary diagnostic significance (Fairburn et al, 1985; Cooper & Fairburn, 1986).