BuLiMiA....

Bulimia is an illness defined by food binges, or recurrent episodes of significant overeating, that are accompanied by a sense of loss of control. The affected person then uses various methods -- such as vomiting or laxative abuse -- to prevent weight gain.

In bulimia, eating binges may occur as often as several times daily for many months. These binges cause a sense of self-disgust, which leads to compensatory behaviors like self-induced vomiting or excessive exercise. A person with bulimia may also abuse laxatives, diuretics, or enemas in order to prevent weight gain.

Many more women than men have bulimia, and the disorder is most common in adolescent girls. The affected person is usually aware that her eating pattern is abnormal and may experience fear or guilt associated with the binge-purge episodes.

The exact cause of bulimia is unknown, but factors thought to contribute to its development are family problems, perfectionist personality, and an overemphasis on physical appearance. Bulimia may also be associated with depression.

In certain neurological or medical conditions, there can be disturbed eating behavior, but the essential psychological feature of bulimia, the extreme concern with body shape and weight, is not present. Organic causes for bulimia are being investigated. There is evidence that bulimia and other eating disorders may be related to abnormalities in levels of chemical messengers (neurotransmitters) within the brain, specifically the neurotransmitter serotonin. Other studies of people with bulimia have found alterations in metabolic rate, decreased perceptions of satiety, and abnormal neuroendocrine regulation (the process by which the nervous system interacts with production of hormones and hormone-like substances).