Bulimia nervosa

Abstract

Bulimia nervosa (BN) is a relatively new syndrome occurring particularly in young women. The gender ratio is about 10:1. The disease is becoming more common especially in the Scandinavian countries. The symptoms are episodes of binge eating followed by weight regulation. Generally, weight reduction is the provoking factor. The disease is estimated to occur in 3-5% of Danish women between the age of 14 and 24 years, but also in an unknown number of older women. Several factors increase the risk of BN: high body mass index, sociocultural circumstances, such as a "drive for thinness", and psychopathological conditions, for instance low self-perception, perfectionism, and a failing internal authority; presumably there is a genetic vulnerability. BN has a number of serious somatic consequences, as well as dental damage. If left untreated, the symptoms seem to persist, whereas the results of never treatment indicate a high degree of recovery. There are thus many reasons in favour of intensifying and increasing the provision of treatment options, as well as a need for prevention.