- Shorter Oxford Textbook of Psychiatry (IVth Edition): Oxford University Press Michael Gelder, Richard Mayou & Philip Cowen.
- A Short Textbook of Psychiatry (Vth Edition): Jaypee Brothers, Niraj Ahuja, MD.
- Bulimia nervosa: an ominous variant of anorexia nervosa. Psych Med. 1979; 9:429-48. Russell, Gerald F.M.
- Oxford Handbook of Clinical Specialities. 6th Edition. Oxford press. Judith Colier, Murray Longmore, Peter Scally.
- Russell, Gerald F.M. Bulimia nervosa : an ominous variant of anorexia nervosa. Psych Med. 1979; 9:429-48.
About
"In 30 patients whose illness bears a close resemblance to anorexia nervosa,…episodes of overeating constituted the most constant feature of the disorder…. Overeating was often overshadowed by more dramatic clinical phenomena--intractable self-induced vomiting or purgation…. The constancy and significance of overeating invite a new terminology for description of this symptom--bulimia nervosa." - Gerald F.M. Russell, 1979
The term 'Bulimia' refers to episodes of uncontrolled excessive eating, known as "binges," followed by self-induced vomiting or purgation. It commonly occurs in adolescent girls. The key elements include the following:
- This 'Eating Disorder' is characterised by an irresistible urge to overeat.
- Extreme measures to control body weight and misconceptions regarding the "perfect" shape and size of the body are observed, similar to that in patients with Anorexia Nervosa.
- The condition might get severe with huge quantities of food being consumed.
- To prevent weight gain patients resort to self-induced vomiting, abuse of laxatives, fasting or extremely rigorous exercising.
