Bulimia Symptoms and Signs


In this Article:

• Bulimia Nervosa
• Bulimia Symptoms and Signs
• Bulimia Side Effects
• Bulimia Treatment

Bulimia Symptoms and Signs can be divided into behavioral and physiological signs and symptoms.


Behavioral Bulimia Symptoms and Signs

• A close association between a patient’s body weight and how she feels about herself (i.e. self-esteem etc);


• A history of unsuccessful dieting attempts, which may include the excessive use or abuse of laxatives or ipecac;


• A past history of anorexia nervosa (AN)


• Some degree of body dismorphic disorder, i.e. they say they feel fat or overweight despite visible evidence to the contrary;

Physiological Bulimia Symptoms and Signs

Physical bulimia symptoms are not the most reliable indicators of the disorder. However, they can include:

• Frequent fluctuation in weight, or a visible absence of any fat beneath the skin.


• Hypothermia (low body temperature), hypotension (low blood pressure) or bradycardia (slowed heart rate).


• Dental erosion. It may be possible to see damage to the teeth’s enamel from frequent vomiting. Dental filings however are not as susceptible to regurgitated stomach acids and can sometimes protrude above the row of teeth.


• “Russell’s sign”: Bruising, calluses, or scars on the fingers from reaching down one’s throat to induce vomiting and making contact with the incisors. However, often sufferers can achieve a ‘handsfree purge’ in which they can induce vomiting without the need to gag.


• Others abuse ipecac, and if they do they can show signs of what’s called ‘proximal muscle weakness.’ Abusing ipecac leads to frequent vomiting, which can weaken the muscles located around the trunk of the body, the proximal muscles. The symptom can be seen in a slightly lumbering gait. Ipecac-induced toxicity is not uncommon in people with eating disorders, and its consequences can in some instances be fatal .

Both behavioral and physicial bulimia symptoms and signs should be taken very seriously and medical care should be a priority.

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